BRISBANE, Australia, Dec 30, 2023 (BSS/AFP) - Dominic Thiem's Brisbane 
International qualifying match against Australian James McCabe was suspended 
for 40 minutes on Saturday after a snake slithered courtside.

McCabe had just wrapped up the first set 6-2 against the 2020 US Open 
champion when the reptile was spotted among electrical wires on the side of 
the court in front of spectators.

Play was halted until a snake catcher arrived and managed to tease it into a 
bag.

It was not clear what type of snake it was, but Australia is home 20 of the 
world's 25 most venomous. However, deaths from bites are rare.