BUMPIN' CHESTS IN GRAND SLAM FINALS SLAMMIN' BRYANS CAMARILLO TWINS ARE BEST MEN'S DOUBLES TEAM IN THE WORLD.

Byline: MATTHEW KREDELL Staff Writer

As Bob and Mike Bryan walked through Los Angeles International Airport two weeks ago, they were stopped about 10 times.

``Are you the Wimbledon guys?'' passersby asked. ``Hey, great job.''

Saturday, the twin brothers got a standing ovation at the Dodgers game before throwing out the first pitch -- or pitches, in this case, as they threw at the same time to different catchers in what must have looked like a Doublemint gum commercial.

A lot has changed for the Camarillo-bred doubles specialists since the last time they played in Los Angeles. Formerly lacking success where it mattered to them most -- in grand slam events -- the top-ranked duo returns to UCLA for the Countrywide Classic having placed themselves among the best ever in their profession.

They've won three of the past four grand slams, becoming one of three teams in the Open era to win each of the four grand slams in their career with this month's victory on the grass at Wimbledon.

``We had been knocking on the door but something was missing,'' Bob Bryan said. ``Now, 12 months later, we have them all and we're waking up every day with smiles on our faces. It's pretty weird.''

The success can be seen in the Bryans' increased obligations this week. In a sport in which doubles increasingly has become a sideshow to its singles counterpart, the Bryans are among the headliners at UCLA.

They already ran a doubles clinic Sunday and participated in a charity event with Andre Agassi on Monday night. On Thursday, they will host kids' day along with former USC running back Marcus Allen.

Between engagements, they likely will coast in defense of their doubles title. Their first-round match is Wednesday against Arnaud Clement and Nicolas Mahut, both of France.

All that's left for the 28-year-olds is to determine their place in the sport's history, which proves to be a tricky subject.

Their resume is impressive. They set a record with their current streak of seven consecutive appearances in grand slam finals. Only Jacco Eltingh and Paul Harhuis of the Netherlands and Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge of Australia have won each of the grand slams since the Open era began in 1968.

Woodforde and Woodbridge hold the record with 61 ATP doubles titles. The Bryans have 29.

John Newcombe and Tony Roche, both Australian, won a record 12 doubles grand slams between 1965 and 1976.

These marks are within reach of the Bryans if they follow through with their plan to play into their mid-30s.

More difficult to overcome is the stigma of playing in perhaps the weakest era for doubles, a time in which most of the top singles players don't cross over.

``If Roger Federer played doubles, he and somebody good would make things awfully difficult for the Bryans,'' said Jack Kramer, a tennis promoter and hall of famer who won six grand-slam doubles titles in the 1940s. ``They're lucky they don't have to face the really top people.''

The Bryans admit as much. They've faced Federer four times in doubles, splitting the matches, but they were all more than four years ago, before he established his dominance.

Federer has a smooth touch around the net, which can't be said for most singles players today, who like to stay around the baseline. The Bryans train only for doubles, practicing volleying, quick-hand drills and specialty shots.

``Federer is the one exception,'' Bob Bryan said. ``I think if he did find a great partner, he could be No. 1 in the world. He could do anything he wants. But I don't think (Andy) Roddick could. (Lleyton) Hewitt, we're undefeated against. We've put probably a million more hours into doubles than these guys.''

There is a recent movement to get doubles back on track by encouraging more top singles players to participate, with larger purses and allowing them to get into doubles events based on their singles rankings.

As a result, the Bryans played against more singles players this year.

However, that trend has not spread to the grand slams. The higher prestige of a singles title and desire to conserve energy prevents many players from playing singles and doubles in grand slam tournaments.

That isn't likely to change soon, leaving questions that will be pondered after the Bryans are finished..

``I think the Bryan brothers would still be the best team because they work on team play and attitude,'' said Dennis Ralston, a USC graduate and tennis hall of famer who will be the special tournament honoree this week. ``You can't win doubles with just one guy. I think they would be right where they are.''

As for the Bryans, they aren't bothered by the doubts. They take on all comers. They would like to face Federer again, although they would prefer it's not in a grand slam. They don't mind taking the easiest route for those.

``We don't really care who we beat,'' Mike Bryan said. ``A win is a win in our book. We don't look back at the grand slam finals we won and wish we could have beat so-and-so.''

The way things are going these days, the brothers are more concerned with that first pitch at the Dodgers game than their legacy.

``I thought I brought more heat, Mike,'' Bob Bryan said.

``I don't know,'' Mike said. ``You threw first and I think mine hit before yours. We'll have to check it out on tape.''

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CAPTION(S):

8 photos, 4 boxes

Photo:

(1 -- 2) Bob Bryan, above, and Mike Bryan, right, have won three of the past four grand slam titles in men's doubles.

Alex Collins/Special to the Daily News

(3 -- 6 -- color) no caption (Bob and Mike Bryan)

(7 -- color) Bob Bryan

(8 -- color) Mike Bryan

Box:

(1) AUSTRALIAN OPEN

(2) FRENCH OPEN

(3) WIMBLEDON

(4) U.S. OPEN