The game of doubles tennis has certainly evolved over the decades. What was once just a place for the best singles players in the world to exert even more dominance has become a sport of its own, with its own skill sets and experts. The “doubles specialist” is a recent innovation and one that constantly changes the game.

This is not the place for an entire history of doubles tennis, so I will fast-forward to the 1990s, when Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde teamed up to create the then-best doubles pairing of all time. Their skills accentuated each other's and made them nearly unbeatable. Their record in tournament finals (61-18) is still something that no other pairing can probably ever hope to match. 

Their lasting achievement, though, should be a recognition of how they changed the doubles game. They showed how doubles teammates should complement each other and create a team that is better than each individual part, rather than just a team of two excellent individuals. Without question, they set the stage for the Bryan Brothers to take over the game.

Bob and Mike Bryan are identical twins whose skills complement each other and who play together on a level that the Woodies only could have dreamed of. They are the perfect doubles pairing. From the big serves necessary in today's game to the incredible net play that you never expect from guys as tall as 6;4” to their power groundstokes, the Bryans have every component necessary to dominate at this level.

What is most astonishing about the twins, though, is there longevity. They burst on to the scene in 2001, winning four titles as a pair. Since then, they have won at least five titles every year between 2002 and now. They won their first Grand Slam at Roland Garros in 2003. After no major titles in 2004, they have won at least one every year since 2005.

And they are just getting better. At 36 years of age, most tennis players would be well past their peaks. And while doubles players can often play longer than singles players, most are showing some decline shortly after they hit 30. Not the Bryans, though. Their very best year was last year, when they won three majors and 11 titles overall. They have not slowed down one bit and are dominating the game at a level unseen before, even by themselves.

The Bryans just won their 100th tournament as a pair, adding to the slew of records that they own. Their combined 100 titles beats the Woodies by 39. Their combined 151 finals is 72 more than the Woodies. Their 380 weeks at No. 1 is an untouchable records, as is their nine year-end finishes in the top spot with an 10th almost guaranteed to follow this year. Their 16 major titles may be approached, but they will undoubtedly add to that before they retire.

Part of the greatness of their career is that they have stayed together for so long. Many individual doubles records are actually owned by Mike, who won two tournaments with different partners back in 2002 and played (and lost) a Davis Cup match with Mardy Fish in 2012, which gives him a few extra weeks at world No. 1 over Bob due to a technicality. Still, though, those don't matter so much. It's the Bryans' career as a pair that sets them apart, not what either has done individually.

The Bryans are dominating the doubles game for a long period of time in an era where doubles specialists are still finding their niche. Greatness always comes from stepping up and meeting opportunity. The Bryans were given an amazing opportunity. And they have stepped up beyond anyone's wildest imagination.