Snake Interruption at Brisbane International Tennis Tournament

Snake Halts Play

During a qualifying match between Dominic Thiem and James McCabe at the Brisbane International Tennis tournament, play was unexpectedly interrupted by the presence of a snake.

The snake, later identified as a eastern brown snake, had made its way onto the court, hidden among the electrical wiring. This caused a temporary halt in play for approximately 40 minutes.

While Australia is known for its snake population, this particular snake was poisonous, catching spectators off guard.

Snake Removal

Upon the discovery of the snake, a call was made for a snake catcher. The snake catcher arrived and successfully captured the snake, placing it into a bag.

This removal process allowed the players to resume their match. Thiem, who had been trailing in the first set, took advantage of the delay and managed to turn the game in his favor. He ultimately won the match in three sets.

Upcoming Australian Open

The Brisbane International Tennis tournament serves as a lead-up event to the Australian Open, one of the four major Grand Slam tournaments in tennis. Players like Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray are competing at the Brisbane International in preparation for the Australian Open, which is scheduled to begin in Melbourne in two weeks.

The snake interruption adds an unexpected twist to the tournament, captivating both players and spectators. Despite the delay, the competition continues as players strive to perform at their best before the start of the prestigious Grand Slam event.