Dominic Thiem survives ‘dangerous’ deadly snake interruption and match points in Brisbane
Dominic Thiem overcame a delay caused by a venomous snake entering the court, and also saved three match points, as he made a dramatic winning start to his 2024 season in Brisbane.
The 2021 US Open winner described the snake situation as “really dangerous” as it was close to the ball kids and admitted it was something he will “definitely never forget.”
Thiem defeated world No 272 James McCabe 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 in the first round of qualifying for the ATP 250 tournament in Brisbane on Saturday.
The Austrian was broken twice by his 20-year-old Australian opponent as he lost the opening set 6-2, before spectators noticed a snake close to the court.
Security staff were summoned and play was stopped by the umpire as the poisonous eastern brown snake entered the court, before the reptile was removed by a snake catcher.
Play resumed, but Thiem looked to be heading for a disappointing defeat in his first match of the new season when he lost serve to fall 3-5 behind in the second set.
McCabe then earned a 40-0 lead when serving for the match, but Thiem saved the three match points and won five points in a row to break back.
The 30-year-old Austrian then recovered from a 0-2 mini-break deficit to take the second set tiebreak 7-4 to level the match.
The world No 96 saved two break points in his opening service game in the deciding set, before converting his first match point with McCabe serving at 4-5, 30-40 to clinch a hard-fought win.
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Thiem discussed the rare and dangerous situation, while also praising the performance of his young opponent.
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 😳
(video via Lblklk on Reddit) pic.twitter.com/QI5izBr6HN
— Gaspar Ribeiro Lança (@gasparlanca) December 30, 2023
“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,” the former world No 3 told reporters.
“It’s something that has never happened to me and is something I’ll definitely never forget. He [McCabe] was playing very well. He was serving extremely well I thought… it was a good win in the end.”
Thiem will face 22-year-old Italian Giulio Zeppieri, the world No 135, in the final round of qualifying in Brisbane.
