Mirra Andreeva has proven herself to be one of the most dangerous predators on the court. The teenage sensation has captured headlines for her daring play, but off the court, her adventurous spirit extends to the wild. Her passion for wildlife was evident when she shared her experiences interacting with these fascinating animals moments before stepping onto the Rod Laver Arena, earlier this year during the Australian Open. “Andreeva the animal whisperer”!? 

“When I arrived here, I saw that they would bring the animals on the 16th,” she explained to on-court interview Laura Robson after stunning Jabeur, a former world No. 2, 6-0, 6-2, to reach the third round.

Following that, she stated, “I told myself I had to be here on that day to watch all the animals and hold the snake. I did that with my agent; he was so scared, but I forced him to do it so we did it together. The animals are the only thing I’ve done so far in Melbourne!”

In addition to her outstanding performances, 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva was shown grinning broadly as she interacted with a variety of animals. Including a snake and smaller species, in a series of pictures released by the official Australian Open Twitter account.

She was also spotted in the player lounge at the Cincinnati Open holding a puppy, saying , “Ahhh…look at her!” Andreeva is not the only one who loves animals; Dominic Thiem also shared this love last year, expressing a similar enthusiasm while overcoming a difficult time on the court during the Brisbane International.

Like Mirra Andreeva, Dominic Thiem had a unique encounter with the poisonous snake

Dominic Thiem, during a qualifying match at the Brisbane International last year, had an unusual and shocking brush with one of Australia’s most deadly snakes. A 50-centimeter eastern brown snake, one of Australia’s most venomous snakes, was sighted courtside when Thiem trailed Australian James McCabe.

Players and spectators were buzzing as the snake slithered onto the court, prompting security to step in and the umpire to stop play. Despite his evident love for animals, especially exotic ones, Thiem acknowledged the danger posed by the snake, noting, “It’s something I’ll definitely never forget.”

This unusual incident at Brisbane International underscored Thiem’s deep affection for animals, even in the face of danger. Similarly, Mirra Andreeva’s love for exotic animals, including snakes, reflects a shared passion among players for the natural world.