Celebrations end with a striptease
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Formalities before the fun starts
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MELBOURNE, Australia -- Michael Llodra and Fabrice Santoro performed an impromptu striptease after retaining the men's doubles title at the Australian Open on Saturday.
In one of the cheekiest celebrations seen at a major tennis event, the Frenchmen stripped to their underwear after beating top-seeded American twins Bob and Mike Bryan 7-6 6-3.
It all began innocently enough when they peeled off their shirts to bare their chests but spectators yelled for more. Shoes, socks and shorts followed!
"It was just for fun," said Santoro, whose fiancee was watching from the stands as he began to undress. "It was spontaneous. It wasn't a bet or anything like that."
Their light-hearted celebration ended what had been an emotional day for the two Frenchman.
Llodra wept after returning to his seat, covering his head in a towel as the tears began to stream down his face. "It was difficult because last year I lost my mum," the 23-year-old said.
"We lost a couple of times in the final last year and I wanted to prove to my mum (that we could win). It was very emotional."
Santoro, 31, also had a point to prove after he was dumped from the French Davis Cup squad for next week's tie against Croatia even though Llodra was retained.
"I think together we are one of the best or the best team in the world," Santoro said. "It's sad that we won't play together next Saturday."
The Frenchman snatched the first set in a tiebreak after Santoro and Mike Bryan had both been broken twice. They sealed the match after Mike Bryan dropped serve again.
