Briana DeAztlan, owner of Eventscape International, talks about installing the various flower walls at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Wochit
Americans Jack Sock and John Isner have been close friends on the professional tennis circuit for years. They talk almost every day about sports other than tennis — in fact anything but tennis, they say — and have developed a bond off the court.
“He’s probably my best buddy on tour,” Sock said.
But the pair had only played three Master Series events together as a doubles team. This year at Indian Wells marked the fourth event they played together, and Saturday evening they won their second title in a 7-6(4), 7-6(2) win in an all-American men’s doubles final against Bob and Mike Bryan at the BNP Paribas Open.
“To get out on court with him, it doesn't get to happen enough,” Sock said. “We don't get to play all the time. …But, you know, he's still young and fresh, so when he gets out there, it's always fun.”
With the win, the pair will split $439,350 and will become the latest American duo to win a doubles title here. The Bryans won back-to-back titles here from 2013-14, and Mardy Fish and Andy Roddick won one together in 2009.
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In 2016, Americans Coco Vandeweghe won a women’s doubles title with Bethanie Mattek-Sands, and Lisa Raymond and Liezel Huber won it all in 2012.
Mike and Bob Bryan, 39, have been one of the most accomplished doubles teams in the history of tennis. Some wondered, after a first round loss here a year ago, if they’d be back or if they’d consider retiring. They both have families, play in a rock band, and tennis seemed to be a fading priority.
Then they came here and were within a few points of winning another title at an event they’ve been coming to since they were kids.
“As Bob said, we will be back,” Mike Bryan said. “We’re turning 40, but we’re coming back until we’re 50.”
As finalists, the Bryans will split $214,410.
Sock, the 10th-ranked men’s singles player, won a doubles title here with Canadian Vasek Pospisil in 2015 and reached the semifinals a year ago. He was believed to be a serious contender to win both singles and doubles here this year, which would have earned him a $1 million bonus, but he was eliminated from the singles draw in his second match, against Feliciano Lopez of Spain.
Isner, ranked 18th in the world, lost his first singles match, to France’s Gael Monfils. Isner said that the doubles title is special, but also spoke to what it can do for the two of them in singles this season.
“More importantly for both Jack and I, just getting that winning feeling back,” said Isner, 32. “Admittedly, both of us have not played singles that well this year. Doubles can oftentimes be a springboard to singles success.
“For me personally — and I think I can speak for Jack — I think that can be the most important thing really out of this whole week is playing some tough doubles matches and coming through in the clutch and getting that feeling sort of back again.”
