Austrian tennis player Dominic Thiem’s match came to a 40-minute halt when a reptile made its way courtside. However, Thiem went on to win the qualifier.
Former US Open champion Dominic Thiem encountered a challenging situation during his qualifying tennis match at the Brisbane International when one of Australia’s most venomous snakes appeared near the court. The match against Australian James McCabe was temporarily suspended for 40 minutes on Saturday due to the presence of the snake courtside.
Fans noticed the snake near the courtside electrical wires, leading officials to halt play during Dominic Thiem’s match against James McCabe, who had just secured the first set 6-2 against the 2020 US Open champion. Security staff were called in, and a professional snake catcher was summoned to safely capture the 50cm (20-inch) reptile, identified as an eastern brown snake—one of Australia’s most deadly.
Thiem, expressing his love for animals, acknowledged the danger the snake posed, especially to the ball kids. After the snake was safely removed, play resumed, but Thiem faced a challenging situation, having to save three match points before winning the second set tiebreak. The former world number three, currently ranked 98th due to a wrist injury, eventually secured a 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 victory.
Reflecting on the unusual incident, Thiem stated that encountering a snake on the court was a first for him and an unforgettable experience. Despite the initial interruptions and challenges, he managed to overcome the obstacles and advance in the tournament. Thiem had previously reached the final of the Australian Open in 2020 and went on to win the US Open later that year.
The Brisbane International serves as a preparatory event for the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the year, starting on January 14 in Melbourne.
After nearly a year away from competitive tennis due to a persistent hip injury, former world number one Rafael Nadal is set to make his comeback in Brisbane. On Sunday, he is scheduled to participate in a doubles match alongside Marc Lopez, his partner in 2016, when they secured an Olympic gold medal.
Rafael Nadal, a formidable 22-time Grand Slam champion, has been matched against a qualifier in the singles draw as he prepares for the initial stage of what might shape up to be his farewell tour. The 37-year-old Spanish tennis icon, renowned for clinching the French Open title a record 14 times, unfortunately had to withdraw from the event in May due to his lingering injury. Now, as he returns to competitive play, Nadal is aiming to make a strong comeback and add to his illustrious career achievements.
