It would make them the second oldest male gold medallists in Olympic tennis history, but doubles trailblazer Mike Bryan has not given up hope of him and twin brother Bob topping the podium at Tokyo 2020.

The Bryan brothers have previous at the Olympics, winning bronze at Beijing in 2008 before dispatching all before them on the grass courts of Wimbledon to claim gold at London 2012.

Neither were on hand to defend their Olympic crown at Rio de Janeiro three years ago, with the American duo withdrawing from the competition in July 2016 citing a need to focus on their family’s health and wellbeing.

But with the Olympics once again in the eyeline of athletes worldwide, Mike has not ruled out him and Bob defying their age and trying to follow in the footsteps of George Hillyard by winning gold in their forties. Hillyard was 44 when he triumphed in the men’s doubles alongside partner Reginald Doherty at the 1908 Games in London.

“The Olympics is an amazing experience and to have a gold medal is our finest tennis achievement,” Mike told itftennis.com. “We’d be thrilled to have another Olympic experience in Tokyo.

“We wouldn’t be the youngest guys out there given we’ll be 42 at the next Olympics but if we’re in the hunt and we’re ranked high enough to go it’s something we’d definitely consider.”

Age ceased to be barrier to Mike some time ago. Last year, having previously spent an unprecedented 454 weeks as men’s doubles world No. 1, he returned to the summit with victory in the Wimbledon quarter-finals, in the process becoming the oldest man to top the standings.

Mike went on to triumph at the 2018 edition of Wimbledon while playing alongside compatriot Jack Sock – Bob was sidelined with a hip injury – and the pair combined with great effect to also lift silverware at the US Open and ATP World Tour Finals.

His victory at Flushing Meadows ensured Mike sealed his 18th Grand Slam men’s doubles title to set the record for men’s Grand Slam doubles crowns. Aged 40 years and four months, he also became the oldest Grand Slam doubles champion in the Open era.

Reunited with Bob this season, a 19th Grand Slam title has so far proved elusive. The duo suffered a semi-final defeat to Colombians Juan Sebastian Cabal and Robert Farah at the Australian Open in January and were knocked out in the third round at Roland Garros by Jean-Julien Rojer of the Netherlands and Romanian Horia Tecau.

On the prospects of winning a 19th Grand Slam, Mike said: “That would be the dream. Nineteen would be everything and we’d probably shut it down with that. It would be a great way to put the racquets in the closet and sail off into the sunset.

“The first motivation though is to keep doing what we love, waking up every day and trying to get better. At the age of 41, that’s challenging as the body doesn’t recover as quickly and we’re playing young kids who rip the ball.

“We definitely need doubles guile to beat some of these kids but we just love the adrenalin rush of being out there. I love being out there on the biggest stage with my twin brother, who I love dearly.

“We love doing it together and a couple more high moments with my brother would be amazing. That’s why we’re still going after these big titles.”

His time spent alongside Sock contributed to a year which Mike describes as “one of the best”, and the experience of playing with a new partner was something which the California-born right-hander clearly relished and benefitted from.

“Bob and I started the year [2018] hot and we were on course to do some great things but he went down with a hip injury,” added Mike, who was honoured with a record 12th ITF World Champion award at the ITF World Champions Dinner in Paris earlier this month following a stellar 2018 alongside Sock.

“I gave Jack a call as he was the only guy available for Wimbledon. We teamed up, saved a few match points and were holding up the trophy a couple of weeks later.

“We meshed. Our games were totally opposite; he has a big forehand and stays on the baseline. I bring the experience, he brings the youth. It was a match made in heaven.

“It was one of the best years of my life. Bob and I have had great years but it was a fun year and a little different doing it with a new partner and someone who brings light-heartedness. He certainly loosened me up.

“It was a great addition to my career to have time with a different partner, but it’s great to be back with Bob and we want to finish strongly together.”