A lethal snake was no match for former US Open champion Dominic Thiem.
During Saturday’s motion on the Brisbane International, Thiem was down a set to Australian James McCabe when their first-round qualifying match needed to be paused as a result of a 50-centimeter japanese brown snake—considered one of Australia’s most venomous—had entered the world of play.
The match was interrupted for roughly 40 minutes earlier than motion resumed.
“I actually love animals, particularly unique ones,” Thiem mentioned, per the Associated Press (h/t ESPN). “But they mentioned it was a extremely toxic snake and it was near the ballkids, so it was a extremely harmful scenario.
“It’s one thing that has by no means occurred to me and is one thing I’ll undoubtedly always remember.”
Thiem, ranked No. 98 on the planet, gutted out a 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 win over McCabe. He’ll be again in motion towards Italian Giulio Zeppieri within the last spherical of qualifying in Brisbane.