Famous Twins in Sports
Brothers who shared courts, rinks and fields. Meet sporting twins who made history together, from the record-setting Bryan brothers to the Sedins of Vancouver, the Lopez twins and the Barbers.
The Bryan brothers celebrate at the 2013 US Open: Boss Tweed from New York, CC BY 2.0
Mirror images on a tennis court
Bob and Mike Bryan were born on April 29, 1978, with Mike arriving two minutes first. They are identical twins, but with a handy twist: they are mirror twins. Mike plays right-handed and Bob plays left-handed, so between them they cover both sides of the court with their stronger hand.
That partnership became the most successful in the history of men's doubles. The brothers won 119 titles together, including 16 Grand Slam titles, an Olympic gold medal at London 2012 and a record 39 Masters events. They held the world No. 1 doubles ranking for a record 438 weeks and finished as the year-end No. 1 team ten times. Fans remember them just as well for their trademark celebration, a flying chest bump after big points. They retired in August 2020.
The Sedins: one passes, one scores
Henrik and Daniel Sedin were born on September 26, 1980, and grew up in Örnsköldsvik, Sweden. In the 1999 NHL draft the Vancouver Canucks picked Daniel second overall and Henrik third, and the twins went on to spend their entire 17-season NHL careers in Vancouver, from 2000 to 2018.
On the ice they seemed to share one hockey brain. Henrik was the playmaker and Daniel was the finisher. Henrik won the Hart Trophy and the Art Ross Trophy in 2009-10, and Daniel followed with the Art Ross and the Ted Lindsay Award in 2011. Henrik is the Canucks' all-time points leader and Daniel sits right behind him. The brothers entered the Hockey Hall of Fame together in 2022 and now share the job of running hockey operations for the club.
Seven-footers from Fresno
Brook and Robin Lopez were born on April 1, 1988, and grew up in Fresno, California, where they played together at San Joaquin Memorial High School and then at Stanford. Both entered the 2008 NBA draft: Brook went 10th to the New Jersey Nets and Robin went 15th to the Phoenix Suns.
Brook became an All-Star with the Nets, finished as the franchise's all-time leading scorer and won an NBA championship with the Milwaukee Bucks in 2021. Fans call him Splash Mountain. Robin, a center, built a 16-season NBA career with nine different teams, including two stints alongside his brother in Milwaukee.
The Barbers of Roanoke
Tiki and Ronde Barber were born on April 7, 1975, with Ronde seven minutes older. They starred at Cave Spring High School in Roanoke, Virginia, played together at the University of Virginia and were both picked in the 1997 NFL draft, Tiki by the New York Giants and Ronde by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Tiki retired as the Giants' all-time leader in rushing and receptions. Ronde spent 16 seasons in Tampa Bay, won Super Bowl XXXVII, made five Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023. Off the field the brothers have written children's books together, including By My Brother's Side.
- The Bryan brothers celebrate at the 2013 US Open: Boss Tweed from New York, CC BY 2.0
- Daniel and Henrik Sedin on the ice for Vancouver, 2007: Iwona Erskine-Kellie, CC BY 2.0
- Robin (left) and Brook Lopez at Stanford: Jeff Keacher, CC BY 2.0
Text written by Actual Twin.
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