Bob Bryan has decided to opt out of the United States' upcoming Davis Cup tie against Switzerland because his wife Michelle is due to give birth on January 29.
"Mike is going solo and play with Mardy [Fish], John [Isner] or Sam [Querrey]," Bob told a small group of reporters. "I’m officially out. I called [captain] Jim [Courier] in November and he was supportive. He said it’s probably not a smart play, you won’t have your head in the game."
The tie is in Fribourg, Switzerland, February 10-12. Both Roger Federer and Stanislas Wawrinka are scheduled to play for the Swiss.
The Bryan Brothers have been a force in Davis Cup since they first named to the team, compiling a 19-2 record together. The world's top doubles team is going for a record 12th Grand Slam title in Australia.
Mike Bryan has played with Fish before, in a 2008 win over Spain. The last time the Bryans did not play Davis Cup doubles together was against Serbia in a tie two years ago, when Mike got for food poisoning and Bob won a match with Isner.
Courier has yet to officially name a team, but Fish, Isner and Mike Bryan have made themselves available. Andy Roddick has opted out of the tie, which will be held on indoor clay. Courier will likely choose between Querrey, who has won a clay court title before, and teenager Ryan Harrison, who played No. 4 Andy Murray tough at the Australian Open.—Matt Cronin