Former U.S. Open champion Dominic Thiem had a brush with one among Australia’s most venomous snakes throughout a qualifying match on the Brisbane International on Saturday.
The former world No.3 was a set right down to 20-year-old Australian James McCabe in a first-round qualifying match when followers courtside noticed the snake.
Security personnel rapidly arrived, however the umpire needed to cease play because the snake slithered onto the court docket to the shock of the gamers and followers.
“I really love animals, especially exotic ones,” Thiem stated. “But they stated it was a very toxic snake and it was near the ballkids, so it was a very harmful scenario.
“It’s something that has never happened to me and is something I’ll definitely never forget.”
The snake — recognized as a 50-centimeter japanese brown snake and one among Australia’s most threatening reptiles —was quickly safely eliminated permitting play to renew.
But Thiem was not but out of hazard as he needed to save three match factors earlier than leveling the match by profitable the second set tiebreak. The 30-year-old then went on to clinch the deciding set for a 2-6. 7-6 (4), 6-4 win.
The Austrian, at present ranked No.98 after a number of years with a hard wrist damage, will face both Italian Giulio Zeppieri or one other Australian, Omar Jasika, within the remaining qualifying spherical tomorrow.
Thiem reached the ultimate of the Australian Open in 2020 when he pushed champion Novak Djokovic to 5 units, and received the US Open later that 12 months.
The complete sum for prize money for the Australian Open is up 13 p.c from final 12 months. Here’s a breakdown spherical by spherical.
