Dominic Thiem has encountered numerous thrilling matches throughout his career, but none quite as memorable as his initial qualifying round at the 2024 Brisbane International.
Following a first-set loss against an inspired Australian wildcard, the match took an unexpected turn when a snake slithered onto the court.
“I have a deep appreciation for animals, particularly exotic ones,” Thiem expressed. “However, they informed me that it was a highly venomous snake and it posed a significant danger to the ballkids, so it was a very precarious situation.”
“It’s an experience that has never occurred in my career, and it’s something I will undoubtedly remember forever.”
After safely removing the snake from the court, Thiem found himself in a challenging situation when play resumed. His 20-year-old opponent, James McCabe, swiftly raced to a 6-2 5-3 40-0 lead and appeared on the brink of securing his first victory over a top-100 player.
“He was performing exceptionally well, especially with his serves,” Thiem remarked.
Nevertheless, the 2020 US Open champion displayed resilience, staging a comeback to secure a hard-fought 2-6 7-6(4) 6-4 victory.
For more details, check out the full story on Brisbane International Tennis.
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