Dominic Thiem’s Brisbane International match got interrupted by a venomous intruder on Saturday. Thiem was up against Australian youngster James McCabe for his qualifying match.
Australia is a country widely known for its flora and fauna, but also for its deadly predators. One such vicious reptile interrupted the qualifying tie in Brisbane on Saturday. Former US Open Champion, Dominic Thiem was up against James McCabe for a chance to feature in the ATP 250 tournament.
You cannot make this up: a 50cm eastern brown snake — considered the second most venomous snake in the world — interrupted the Thiem-McCabe qualifying battle in Brisbane 😳
— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) December 30, 2023
(video via Lblklk on Reddit) pic.twitter.com/QI5izBr6HN
It was unfortunate that a very exciting match was put on hold due to such an incident. While the snake saga took the central stage for the match, it was earlier James McCabe who was in the spotlight.
He came out blitzing Thiem and took the first set of the game 6-2. He also had a three-match points advantage that he could not make use of. Thiem came back in what seemed like another disappointing start for him and won the game in three sets, 2-6. 7-6 (4), 6-4.
A tennis Journalist, Gaspar Lanca posted a clip of the snake being rescued by the security guards of the tournament on X.
Dominic Thiem also expressed his thoughts on the whole snake incident in a post-match interview. He said that while he enjoys the company of exotic animals, the snake situation could have easily taken a wrong turn with all the ball boys and spectators in attendance.
“I really love animals, especially exotic ones. But they said it was a really poisonous snake and it was close to the ball kids, so it was a really dangerous situation.”
He further added that it was a once in a lifetime moment for him and one that he may never forget.
“It’s something that has never happened to me and is something I’ll definitely never forget.”
Rafael Nadal escapes a potential draw upset in Brisbane International but faces Dominic Thiem in the round of 32
The comeback season for Rafael Nadal is on as the Spaniard is ready to take the court on Sunday, December 31, with his doubles partner Marc Lopez.
It seems like fate is on Nadal’s side, as earlier it was revealed that he will be taking on a qualifier for his RO32 match in the Brisbane International. However, after the qualifiers’ result, it has been released that Former US Open Champion, Dominic Thiem will be his opponent in the Round of 32 tie.
Meanwhile, the tennis world prepares to see the legendary Spaniard take to the court for the first time in almost a year with his Olympic Gold medal-winning partner Marc Lopez. The duo won Gold in the Rio 2016 Olympics.
The duo will be up against an Australian pair of Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson, at Pat Rafter Arena, Brisbane.
