BRYANS ARE DOUBLE TOUGH.Byline: Lee Barnathan Daily News Staff Writer Mike Bryan
Michael ("Mike") Carl Bryan (born April 29, 1978 in Camarillo, California) is an American male professional tennis player. Mike stands 6'3" tall, weighs 192 lbs and plays right-handed. reads the paper and doesn't hear the waitress ask for the Stanford tennis player's order. When he finally hears, he points at his twin brother, Bob, and says, ``I'll have what he's having.'' Then he turns to his brother and asks, ``What are we having?'' Mike doesn't have to worry. He knows he and Bob share many of the same tastes. The eggs, hash browns hash browns pl.n. Chopped cooked potatoes, fried until brown. Also called hash brown potatoes. and oatmeal taste fine. It's the same way on the tennis court. The sophomores from Camarillo Camarillo (kă'mərē`yō), city (1990 pop. 52,303), Ventura co., S Calif.; inc. 1964. It is the center of a fertile farm area where citrus fruits and flowers are grown. have led the Cardinal to an undefeated conference season. Last year, they were instrumental in the school's national championship. They were named All-America, and Bob was the school's freshman male athlete of the year Athlete of the Year
Against UCLA UCLA University of California at Los Angeles UCLA University Center for Learning Assistance (Illinois State University) UCLA University of Carrollton, TX and Lower Addison, TX on Saturday, they swept the Bruins' No. 2 doubles team 8-0. Then in singles, each gave up five games in sweeping the best-of-3 sets. ``They're a major part of it,'' Stanford coach Dick Gould said. ``They bring a lot of freshness and enthusiasm. One of my biggest concerns is to get them off the court. They'd practice all day if they could. That enthusiasm is contagious contagious /con·ta·gious/ (-jus) capable of being transmitted from one individual to another, as a contagious disease; communicable. con·ta·gious adj. 1. Of or relating to contagion. to the team.'' Next up is the Ojai Valley tournament, site of the Pacific-10 Conference The Pacific-10 Conference (Pac-10) is a college athletic conference which operates in the western United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division I. Membership Full members individual tournament, which runs today through Sunday Sunday: see Sabbath; week. . Since the brothers have the same tastes, it shouldn't be surprising to know Ojai ranks among their favorite tournaments. ``There's a special feel to it,'' Mike said. ``It's so laid back. The tradition is unbelievable.'' They have added to that tradition, having won several Ojai Valley tournament titles and several Pac-10 doubles and two singles titles. Bob surprised many by winning a Pac-10 singles crown last year. ``It was our dream to go to Libbey Park (site of Ojai/Pac-10 championships),'' Bob said. ``The best thing to happen to me was winning last year.'' When their father, Wayne, first took them to Ojai 16 years ago, they were more interested in chasing frogs. Two years later, they watched the matches transfixed. Later, they volunteered to help at the tournament and participated in the 14-and-under division - as 10 year olds. ``They consider it their home tournament,'' Wayne said. ``They love the oak trees.'' The Bryans also have the genes in their favor. Both parents were professional. Mother Kathy Blake was ranked in the top 30 in the world during her seven-year career that ended in 1972 after several late-round appearances at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open The term U.S. Open is applied to "open" United States national championships in a particular sport, in which anybody, amateur or professional, American or non-American may compete. These include:
Since many twins are opposite-handed, they never have to serve with the sun in their eyes. Plus, the Bryans - both 6-feet-3 and 170 pounds - always seem to know where the other one will be on the court and who will handle what volley volley /vol·ley/ (vol´e) a number of simultaneous muscle twitches or nerve impulses all caused by the same stimulus. vol·ley n. . ``I don't want to say it's telepathy telepathy, supposed communication between two persons without recourse to the senses. The word was formulated in 1882 by Frederic William Henry Myers, English poet, essayist, and a leading founder of the Society for Psychical Research in London. , but I know what he's thinking,'' Bob said. About the only thing they don't like - and they agree on this, too - is they're often grouped as one person. If Mike's doing something wrong, like throwing his racquet in disgust, people will ask Bob why `they' do that, even though Bob didn't. ``I've got to watch his actions,'' Bob said. ``I've got to make sure he's making a name for himself.'' Ojai is one place their name is known. 98th OJAI VALLEY TENNIS TOURNAMENT Who: About 1,600 participants in 30 divisions ranging from boys and girls boys and girls mercurialisannua. 14-and-under to opening, and including the Pacific-10 Conference men's and women's championships. When: Today through Sunday, starting at 8 a.m. each day. Where: 49 sites all over Ventura County the first day. All finals at Libbey Park in Ojai except Big West, which will be at Ojai Valley Racquet Club. Until finals, Pac-10 men will be at Libbey Park, Pac-10 women at Ojai Valley Inn, Big West men and women at Ojai Valley Racquet Club. Amenities: Free orange juice every morning at Libbey Park; free tea and cookies every afternoon at the same venue. Cost: $5 for adults Thursday and Friday, $8 Saturday and Sunday. Reduced rates for seniors and students. Children under 10 are $1. CAPTION(S): 2 Photos, Box PHOTO (1--2) The Bryan twins, Bob (top) and Mike (above), are an essential part to the Cardinal's tennis success this season. Both will compete in the Pacific-10 individual tournament this weekend. Special to the Daily News BOX: 98th OJAI VALLEY TENNIS TOURNAMENT (see text) |
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