Barring their only French Open victory, Bob and Mike have won every other Slam on multiple occasions, including five Australian Opens together. They have been atop the world rankings for a record 270 weeks and counting, and on their favourite court in the world, the twins were on the brink of another landmark — twelve men's doubles Slams.

Yet, with a singles specialist in Radek Stepanek — the least likely of his pairings in recent times and a man Paes claims to have ‘tutored’ over the last few days — the 38-year old did three things he had never done before in his 21-year career. Beat the Bryans in any final (7-6, 6-2), win the Australian Open, and complete a career Grand Slam in men’s doubles.

“For three weeks I’ve been working on Radek’s doubles skills. And don’t forget that this is our first Slam together,” he said looking over his shoulder with tears in his eyes and a smile on his lips.

“He is one of the best ones I ever had. And in Grand Slams’ I’ve had about nine different partners.” Seventeen actually, of which only four have borne Slam fruit.

The list of Tieleman, Lareau, Renstrom, Ullyett, Pereira, Belloli, Bhupathi (first French and Wimbledon), Siemerink, Cibulec, Huss, Hill, Rikl, Zimonjic, Damm (first US), Hanley, Dlouhy and Stepanek makes it more male partners in Slams for Paes than anybody else in the world. "

“The reason I can still win Grand Slams on the brink of turning 39 is because I know how to pick great partners,” said Paes. In Elena Vesnina he may have picked another, with whom he will play in the mixed doubles final on Sunday to make it No. 14 over all, but not all his choices have been great.