Tennis' Legendary Bryan Brothers in Serious Talks to Pursue Pro Pickleball

Sources tell The Dink that tennis' all-time winning doubles team and global ambassadors, Bob and Mike Bryan, are in serious talks to sign a long-term deal with Major League Pickleball (MLP) and the PPA Tour. The Bryan Brothers pickleball story, if it comes to fruition, could be one of the most compelling crossovers in sports history.

The 45-year-old identical twin brothers, who are widely regarded as the most accomplished tennis doubles team of all time, announced their retirement from tennis in 2020, but not before racking up an insanely impressive resume:

• World #1 doubles team for 438 weeks
• 16 Grand Slam doubles titles
• 119 Tour Titles
• Davis Cup Champions (2007)
• Olympic Gold Medalists (2012)
• Voted Fan Favorite 14x
• 1,000+ career match wins

So after all that winning, why not just sit back and enjoy the spoils of a successful career?

Simple answer: they yearn for competition.

It's basically a massive pickleball party. And we want to send you and a friend. All expenses paid. Enter here.

Bryan Brothers Pickleball: Why Tennis Converts Don't Always Succeed

Now of course, we've seen tennis converts before. Singles specialist Sam Querrey notably made his transition last year, only to go undrafted in the most recent Major League Pickleball season. And don't make us rehash Noah Rubin's quick stint in pickleball.

Tennis Transfers With Mixed Results

Jack Sock recently announced his retirement from tennis and subsequent commitment to the Pro Pickleball Association Tour for 2024 and beyond. Sock made pickleball waves when he secured a gold medal alongside Anna Leigh Waters in his first pro mixed doubles outing.

But his Men's Doubles debut wasn't as successful. He and partner Tyson McGuffin suffered a loss to a relatively unknown duo. So the jury is still out on Sock's future in pickleball. Fun fact: he actually has two tennis Grand Slam titles alongside Mike Bryan when Bob was sidelined with an injury.

Watch: PicklePod - is Jack Sock good or bad for pro pickleball?

On the women's side, Tina Pisnik has recently cruised up the rankings and was eventually drafted to the Challenger Level of Major League Pickleball. Her highest achievements in tennis include 3R Wimbledon appearances and rankings of #29 and #60 in singles and doubles, respectively.

Genie Bouchard is debatably the most famous tennis player to convert to pickleball, which the PPA Tour announced recently. But as far as anyone can tell, she has picked up a paddle only a handful of times.

Bryan Brothers Pickleball Goals Are Different From the Rest

In contrast, the Bryan Brothers pickleball mission has been made crystal clear: should they come to an agreement with Major League Pickleball and the PPA Tour, it won't just be for show. The goal is to win.

In fact, we hear that a number of producers are interested documenting the entire journey under the premise of all or nothing. While the twins are humble enough to understand that it won't be an easy road, their goal is to ascend to #1, and they're willing to put in the work.

As we pickleball junkies know, they'll need to go through the Johns Brothers to get there. But if they do, and admittedly that's a big "if", it's the perfect Hollywood script. The most prolific tennis duo in history faces off against pickleball's GOATs for a shot at #1. Step aside, Drive to Survive.

How Bryan Brothers Pickleball Could Grow the Game

The Bryan Brothers pickleball agenda extends well beyond chasing medals. The two have outlined a number of initiatives to aid in growing pickleball's market share in the sports landscape:

• Increase pickleball's competitive credibility
• Validate and encourage the transfer of top tennis pros to pickleball
• Lobby for college and olympic pickleball
• Build local leagues, national tournaments and celebrity pro-ams
• Attract new sponsors, celebrities and notable figures to the sport
• Encourage and grow youth pickleball with an emphasis on providing a pathway for inner-city youth
• Hold national fundraisers to raise money for the sport's growth, including parks & rec, courts for municipalities and communities, etc.

A Proven Track Record Off the Court

But why should we believe that the Bryan Bros are capable of all of that? Well, according to the New York Times, they literally "saved doubles" tennis.

"A decade later, doubles is an integral part of the men’s game, purses have nearly doubled, and doubles-only players continue to make a decent living on tour." Wrote the New York Times.

It's safe to say that Mike and Bob Bryan aren't content with simply showing up for matches. The pair has a proven track record of having an impact on and off the court.

Why the Bryan Brothers Pickleball Partnership Makes Sense for the Sport

We're not saying pro pickleball needs saving, but as a sport in its infancy, it needs all the help it can get when it comes to ambassadors and advocates for a spot in the mainstream. If Mike and Bob can apply the same grassroots marketing and promotional tactics they used in tennis, the sport will stand to benefit.

Long-Term Vision

Our sources tell us that the Bryan Brothers pickleball vision centers on securing a long-term partnership of five years or more. They want to be considered partners, not just players.

It's worth noting the brothers' family isn't exactly thrilled with the idea. Their legacy is one of winning. To gamble their reputation as perennial victors on a new sport where wins are far from guaranteed is as risky as it gets.

But Mike and Bob understand the risk, and embrace it. If they decide to pursue pro pickleball, they want to be the best. Is it realistic? Only one way to find out.

Thinking about making the jump from tennis to pickleball, too? Get 10% off pickleball equipment at fromuthpickleball.com with code 10DINK.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are the Bryan Brothers actually pursuing pro pickleball?

Sources close to The Dink report that Bob and Mike Bryan are in serious discussions with Major League Pickleball and the PPA Tour about a long-term partnership. The twins have reportedly made clear that their goal is not just to participate but to compete at the highest level and eventually reach number one.

How successful have tennis players been in the transition to pro pickleball?

The results have been mixed, with high-profile tennis converts like Genie Bouchard seeing limited competitive success while others like Jack Sock have shown genuine flashes of potential. The biggest challenge for transitioning tennis players is mastering the soft game, especially the third-shot drop and kitchen line exchanges.

What makes the Bryan Brothers different from other tennis converts?

Unlike many tennis professionals who have approached pickleball casually, the Bryan Brothers are reportedly committed to a serious, long-term plan with a stated goal of reaching number one. Their background as an elite doubles team gives them natural court chemistry and a strategic mindset that translates well to the pro pickleball format.

What would the Bryan Brothers bring to pro pickleball beyond just playing?

The twins have outlined an ambitious off-court agenda that includes lobbying for college and Olympic pickleball, building local leagues, hosting celebrity pro-ams, and growing youth participation in underserved communities. Their track record of activism in tennis, including their 2005 antitrust lawsuit to protect doubles, demonstrates their willingness to fight hard for a sport they believe in.

Would the Bryan Brothers have to beat the Johns Brothers to reach number one?

Any road to the top of the men's doubles pickleball rankings would almost certainly go through Ben and Collin Johns, who have long dominated the pro circuit. The Bryan Brothers have acknowledged this challenge directly, and the prospect of that eventual matchup has already generated significant excitement throughout the pickleball community.