In an eventful Brisbane International qualifying match, Dominic Thiem showcased his resilience against Australian James McCabe despite an unexpected pause caused by an uninvited guest on the court. The match faced a 40-minute suspension as a snake, identified as an eastern brown snake, found its way onto the court, halting play due to safety concerns.
Thiem is having some serious issues in this first round Qualies match. But if the snake the fans say is … in there right next to the court gets in there it could get dramatic pic.twitter.com/Y2WuKyVi9I
— Stephanie Myles (@OpenCourt) December 30, 2023
Amidst this unusual interruption, Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, found himself in an uncommon situation. “I love animals, especially exotic ones. But they said it was a poisonous snake and it was close to the ball kids, so it was a really dangerous situation,” Thiem remarked after the match, acknowledging the severity of the situation.
Despite losing the first set, Thiem made a stunning comeback, securing a hard-fought 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 victory, ultimately sealing his entry into the main draw of the Brisbane International, paving the way for his participation in the upcoming Australian Open 2024.
The tournament, set to commence on January 14th in Melbourne, anticipates the return of Rafael Nadal, marking his comeback post-surgery. Additionally, the women’s draw will witness Naomi Osaka’s return after a maternity break, facing off against Tamara Korpatsch in her first match back on the court.
Thiem’s triumph amidst the unusual interruption highlights his determination, setting the stage for an exhilarating entry into the Australian Open, as tennis fans await the return of these champions on the international stage.
