4 records set by the Bryan twins that are nearly impossible to break

When it comes to the doubles format in tennis, a few names come to mind immediately - John McErnoe / Peter Fleming, Martina Navratilova / Pam Shriver, Mark Woodforde / Todd Woodbridge, Natasha Zvereva / Gigi Fernandez. But in recent times, the most popular duo in the doubles game have been the fraternal American twins - Bob and Mike Bryan.

Both the Bryans are over 40 years of age now but after contemplating retirement on several occasions in 2016 and 2017, they have re-discovered their mojo. The duo were one win away from regaining the top spot in the ATP Doubles rankings earlier this year, but an injury to Bob Bryan meant that they have to wait just a bit longer.

Mike, meanwhile, teamed up with fellow American Jack Sock and won 2 Grand Slam titles - the first instance of any of the Bryan twins winning a Doubles Grand Slam with another partner.

With Bob back fit again, the duo will look to extend their stranglehold over the doubles game - something that they have shared for almost 12 years.

The bulwark of many American Davis Cup teams in the last decade or so, the Bryans have shattered almost all the major records in the doubles game. We take a look at 4 of the most superlative records that they have set:

#1 More than 1,000 match wins together

Having played tennis together since their childhood days, the Bryan twins know each other incredibly well and that translated to success on court seamlessly. The left-handed Bob has one of the best serves in the men's game, and this coupled with Mike's superior net play make them a potent force.

The duo, nicknamed 'The Wonder Twins', are the first pair to lodge 600, 700 and 1,000 wins on the ATP Tour. As of 2018, the duo have won a total of 1067 matches, and this number is expected to become bigger come the 2019 tennis season.

#2 Only doubles pair in history to have held all 4 Grand Slams and the Olympic gold medal at the same time

Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan pose with their Gold Medals at the London Olympic Games of 2012

2005 was the year that the Bryan brothers first began to assert their dominance in the Doubles game. That year, they made the finals of all 4 Grand Slam tournaments - only the second time a men's pairing has achieved this feat in Grand Slams.

The Bryan brothers erased their disappointment of winning only the Bronze at the Beijing Olympic Games by romping home to take Gold at the London Olympics of 2012. Following their win in London, they embarked on a winning spree, winning the next four Grand Slam titles beginning from the US Open that year.

At the end of Wimbledon 2013, following their triumph at the All England Club, they became the first doubles pairing in history - men or women for that matter - to hold all 4 Grand Slams and the Olympic Gold Medal at the same time. The feat has been dubbed the 'Bryan Golden Slam'.

#3 Ranked the Year-End Number 1 Doubles team by the ATP for the most years

Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan holding aloft their first Grand Slam trophy at the French Open of 2003

The Bryan twins first ascended to the top of the ATP Doubles rankings in the year 2003. That year they won their maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open. Consistent performances thereafter meant that they finished the year as the Number 1 ranked team.

Since then, the Bryans have finished as the Year-End World Number 1 on 9 more occasions (2005, 2006, 2007) and in 6 consecutive years between 2009 to 2014 inclusive.

Consequently, the twins have also held on to the World Number 1 ranking in Doubles individually for more weeks than any other player - active or retired for that matter. Mike Bryan has been ranked World Number 1 for 455 weeks and Bob for 439 weeks. The next best is John McEnroe at 270 weeks.

#4 Won more doubles titles than any other pair

Mike Bryan won 5 trophies including 2 Grand Slams with Jack Sock in 2018

So profound is the impact that the Bryan twins have had on the doubles game that they have been voted the Fans Favorite Doubles Team for 13 consecutive years - that is, every year since the award was instituted.

Together they have won 116 titles (including 16 Grand Slam titles, 39 ATP Masters 1000 Doubles titles, 5 ATP Tour Finals and 2 Olympic Medals including Gold at the Beijing Olympics of 2008).

The Bryans successfully helped USA win the Davis Cup in 2007. Mike in the year 2018 won 5 more titles including 2 more Grand Slam titles with Jack Sock as his partner, extending the number of titles that he has won till date to 121.

No other tennis players in history have amassed more than 100 doubles title wins. Their accomplishments for the larger part of the last 15 years or so have given them more than 31 million USD in prize money earnings.

At 40, the Bryans still have the desire and will to add to their tally, and their re-union after more than 6 months will be closely watched at the 2019 Australian Open.