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Dominic Thiem’s qualifying match at the Brisbane International was interrupted by none other than one of Australia’s most venomous snakes Saturday. The former U.S. Open champion was one set into a first round qualifying match against Australian James McCabe when fans reportedly spotted the snake near the courtside electrical wires.
Professionals safely removed the snake, a 50 cm eastern brown, during a 40 minute break from playing. The 30-year-old Austrian tennis star said the event was memorable, commenting “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.”
“It’s something that has never happened to me and is something I’ll definitely never forget,” he added.