Is Bryan/Sock better than Bryan/Bryan?

[The1AndOnly]

Obviously the Bryan brothers are the best doubles pairing in history, but they're both 40 years old now. Do you guys think the Bryan brothers would've won Wimbledon if they had the same draw that Mike Bryan and Jack Sock got this year? Is Sock currently a better partner for Mike Bryan than Bob is?

Also, I find it very interesting/funny that Mike Bryan will almost definitely finish his career with one more Men's doubles grand slam than his twin brother. And Bob Bryan is the one who had the better singles career and is generally considered to be a bit stronger of a player.

 

[ohiostate124]

Sock is probably the best single doubles player in the world atm

 

[The1AndOnly]

Sock is probably the best single doubles player in the world atm

I don't disagree with that, however I'm not certain whether or not he actually forms a better team with Mike Bryan than Bob. However, he is definitely currently a better individual doubles player than both of them in my opinion.

 

[Sudacafan]

I can’t answer this.
Only today I learned that Sock teamed with Mike Bryan instead of his brother, and I don’t even know the reason for that. Was Bob injured?

 

[The1AndOnly]

I can’t answer this.
Only today I learned that Sock teamed with Mike Bryan instead of his brother, and I don’t even know the reason for that. Was Bob injured?

Bob injured his leg I believe in Madrid final and ended up having to retire from the match. He told Mike to keep on playing without him in order to stay in good form and Mike and Jack ended up winning Wimbledon! :O

 

[Winners or Errors]

I can’t answer this.
Only today I learned that Sock teamed with Mike Bryan instead of his brother, and I don’t even know the reason for that. Was Bob injured?

Yes, hip injury at the French, I believe. Oops, it was Madrid. Had the Bryans won that match they would have reclaimed the #1 ranking.

 

[Sudacafan]

Yes, hip injury at the French, I believe. Oops, it was Madrid. Had the Bryans won that match they would have reclaimed the #1 ranking.

A serious injury it seems. Hip injuries are becoming frequent on the tour.

 

[The1AndOnly]

Yes, hip injury at the French, I believe. Oops, it was Madrid. Had the Bryans won that match they would have reclaimed the #1 ranking.

Now Mike Bryan is individually the oldest doubles world #1 in history... without Bob

 

[Bobby Jr]

Sock is probably the best single doubles player in the world atm

Maybe. Raven Klaasen would have a word about this. Check out his skills throughout the tournament, esp in the match against Jamie Murray. Holy **** Klaasen has some seriously doubles skills.

To the original post though... In a bit more time they probably could be a better team than Bryan/Bryan. An even better team would be Sock and Bob Bryan.

 

[Tshooter]

Sock is probably the best single doubles player in the world atm

He would probably reach #1 if he played doubles by himself.

 

[MathGeek]

I think it is more about chemistry than raw skill. Bryan-Sock is probably better than two Socks would be.

There is something about the Bryan depth of experience that makes Sock better in the same way that Hingis made so many of her doubles partners better.

Likewise, I think two Bryans on the same doubles team now that they are 40 creates a team with too much experience and not enough raw skill. Doubles partners need to have strengths and weaknesses that are more different from each other (complementary) than the Bryan brothers. For many years, being so similar didn't hurt them, because their skill level was so high and they played with a higher level of synchronicity than most teams ever reach, instinctively knowing what the other would do.

As age catches up, putting a younger player like Sock on a Bryan team creates a stronger team. The combination of skills and experience is impressive and was a lot of fun to root for and watch.

 

[ibbi]

Well, Sock is probably better at this stage than either of the brothers, so yes, he'd probably be a better partner for either of them I feel like Bob and Sock might even be better than Mike and Sock given Bob has the big serve, and is left handed, so would maintain the left hander and right hander quality that the Bryans had.

 

[Zoolander]

So is Bob sacked now? Will Mike decide he fancies his chances better with a younger partner?

That would make for some awkward moments at family gatherings, thats for sure...