<p>At the Brisbane International on Saturday, Dominic Thiem, the former winner of the U.S. Open, came into contact with one of Australia’s most dangerous snakes while playing a qualifying match. When spectators courtside saw the snake, the former world No. 3 was behind 20-year-old Australian James McCabe in a first-round qualifying match.</p>
<p><img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-332822″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/theindiaprint.com-dominic-thiem-qualifies-at-brisbane-international-after-surviving-a-fatal-poisonou-750×450.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com dominic thiem qualifies at brisbane international after surviving a fatal poisonou” width=”1077″ height=”646″ title=”Dominic Thiem qualifies at Brisbane International after surviving a fatal poisonous snake interruption 6″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/theindiaprint.com-dominic-thiem-qualifies-at-brisbane-international-after-surviving-a-fatal-poisonou-750×450.jpg 750w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/theindiaprint.com-dominic-thiem-qualifies-at-brisbane-international-after-surviving-a-fatal-poisonou-1024×614.jpg 1024w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/theindiaprint.com-dominic-thiem-qualifies-at-brisbane-international-after-surviving-a-fatal-poisonou-768×461.jpg 768w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/theindiaprint.com-dominic-thiem-qualifies-at-brisbane-international-after-surviving-a-fatal-poisonou-150×90.jpg 150w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/theindiaprint.com-dominic-thiem-qualifies-at-brisbane-international-after-surviving-a-fatal-poisonou.jpg 1200w” sizes=”(max-width: 1077px) 100vw, 1077px” /></p>
<p>To the surprise of the players and spectators, the snake slithered onto the court, forcing the umpire to halt play until security staff could arrive. Thiem said, “I really love animals, especially exotic ones.”</p>
<p>However, they said that the snake was very deadly, and because it was near the ballplayers, the scenario was quite risky.</p>
<p><strong>“I’ll never forget it because it’s something I’ve never experienced before.”</strong></p>
<p>One of Australia’s deadliest reptiles, the 50-centimeter eastern brown snake, was quickly removed securely so that play could continue. However, Thiem was still in danger since he needed to win the second set tiebreak to equalize the score after having to save three match chances. After that, the 30-year-old won 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (4), and the decisive set.</p>
<p>The Austrian, who has been plagued for years by a bothersome wrist problem and is presently rated No.98, will play in tomorrow’s final qualifying round against either Italian Giulio Zeppieri or another Australian, Omar Jasika. After forcing defending champion Novak Djokovic to five sets in the Australian Open final in 2020, Thiem went on to win the US Open the same year.</p>
