Dominic Thiem, the former U.S. Open champion, encountered an unexpected disruption during his qualifying match at the Brisbane International when one of Australia's most venomous snakes made an appearance near the courtside electrical wires. The incident occurred on Saturday during Thiem's first-round qualifying match against Australian player James McCabe, but did not deter the Austrian tennis star from clinching victory.

Fans reportedly spotted the snake, identified as a 50 cm eastern brown, prompting a 40-minute break in the match. Professional handlers were promptly called in to safely remove the snake, which was deemed to pose a significant threat due to its venomous nature and its proximity to the ball kids.

Thiem, known for his love of animals, acknowledged the precariousness of the situation. He expressed his concern, stating, "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."

Despite the interruption, Thiem powered through to secure victory over McCabe. After losing the first set 2-6, Thiem rallied to claim the second set in a tense tiebreaker, winning 7-6 (7-4). He maintained his momentum in the third set, ultimately triumphing with a 6-4 scoreline.

Thiem's victory advances him to the final round of the qualifying tournament, where he will face either Giulio Zeppieri or Omar Jasika on Sunday. Currently ranked at 98 due to a wrist injury, Thiem aims to regain his previous standing as one of the top players in the world.

The incident involving the snake will undoubtedly be a memorable moment in Thiem's career, adding a unique element to his journey at the Brisbane International. As he progresses through the qualifying rounds, fans eagerly await Thiem's performance and hope to witness him return to his peak form on the court.