What is a Walkover in Tennis? Rules, Implications, (+ Examples)

If you are a tennis fan, you may have heard the term “walkover” used to describe a situation where a player advances to the next round without playing a match.
But what exactly does it mean, and how does it affect the players and the tournament?
In this article, we will explain everything you need to know about walkovers in tennis, from their causes and rules to their origin and impact.

What Does Walkover mean in Tennis?

A walkover is a term used in tennis when one player is unable to play a match due to injury, illness, or other reasons, and the other player is awarded the victory without playing. The word “walkover” comes from the idea that the winning player can simply walk over to the next round without any effort. However, this term was not originally used in tennis, but in horse racing, where a racehorse that won a race without any competition was said to have a “walkover.” The term was first used in tennis in the early 1900s.

Origin of the Term

The term “walkover” has its origins in horse racing. In horse racing, a walkover is a race where only one horse competes because all other horses have withdrawn or been disqualified. The lone horse does not have to run at full speed, but only has to walk over the finish line to claim the victory. The term was then adopted by other sports, including tennis.

Causes of Walkovers

There are many possible reasons why a player may give a walkover in tennis. Some of the most common ones are:

Injury or illness: A player may suffer an injury or fall ill before or during a tournament, and decide that they cannot play their scheduled match. This may be due to pain, discomfort, risk of aggravating the injury, or doctor’s advice. This is the most common reason for a walkover in tennis, and it is usually announced by the player or the tournament officials before the match.
Scheduling conflicts: A player may have a scheduling conflict with another tournament, event, or personal commitment, and choose to prioritize that over their match. This may happen if a player has entered multiple tournaments in a short period of time, or if there are unexpected delays or changes in the tournament schedule. This is a rare reason for a walkover in tennis, and it is usually considered unprofessional and disrespectful to the opponent and the fans. A player who gives a walkover for this reason may face penalties from the governing bodies of tennis, such as fines, suspensions, or ranking points deductions.

Other reasons: A player may give a walkover for other reasons that are not related to their physical condition or schedule. For example, they may have personal or family issues, visa problems, disciplinary actions, or simply lose interest or motivation. This is also a rare reason for a walkover in tennis, and it may vary depending on the circumstances and the player’s reputation. A player who gives a walkover for this reason may also face penalties from the governing bodies of tennis, or lose the respect and support of their fans and peers.

Rules from Governing Bodies

Different governing bodies of tennis have different definitions and rules for walkovers. Here are some of the main ones:

ATP and WTA: The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) are the main organizations that oversee professional men’s and women’s tennis respectively. According to their rules, a walkover is defined as “a match in which one player is advanced to the next round due to withdrawal or disqualification of his/her opponent prior to the start of that match”. A walkover does not count as a win or a loss for either player in terms of head-to-head records or statistics. However, it does affect the ranking points and prize money allocation, which we will discuss later.

Tennis Australia: Tennis Australia is the governing body of tennis in Australia, and organizes the Australian Open, one of the four Grand Slam tournaments. According to its rules, a walkover is defined as “a match where one player is unable to commence play for any reason”. A walkover counts as a win for the advancing player and a loss for the withdrawing player in terms of head-to-head records and statistics. Tennis Australia follows the same definition and rules as the ATP and WTA for walkovers. A walkover does not count as a win or a loss for either player in terms of head-to-head records or statistics, but it does affect the ranking points and prize money allocation.
USTA: The United States Tennis Association (USTA) is the governing body of tennis in the United States, and organizes the US Open, another Grand Slam tournament. According to its rules, a walkover is defined as “a match in which one player advances due to withdrawal or disqualification of his/her opponent prior to taking court”. A walkover counts as a win for the advancing player and a loss for the withdrawing player in terms of head-to-head records and statistics. However, it does not affect the ranking points and prize money allocation, which are based on the ATP and WTA rules.
LTA: The Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) is the governing body of tennis in Great Britain, and organizes Wimbledon, another Grand Slam tournament. According to its rules, a walkover is defined as “a match where one player is unable to commence play for any reason”. A walkover counts as a win for the advancing player and a loss for the withdrawing player in terms of head-to-head records and statistics. The LTA follows the same definition and rules as the ATP and WTA for walkovers. A walkover does not count as a win or a loss for either player in terms of head-to-head records or statistics, but it does affect the ranking points and prize money allocation.

Additional Rules: Some tournaments may have additional rules regarding walkovers. For example, some tournaments may require a medical certificate from the withdrawing player to confirm their injury or illness. Some tournaments may also impose penalties or fines on players who give walkovers without valid reasons.

Key Differences from Other Tennis Terminology

Walkover vs. Retirement

A retirement is when a player starts a match but is unable to finish it due to injury, illness, or other reasons. The player who retires loses the match and the player who continues wins the match. A retirement can happen at any point during a match, even after just one point.
A walkover and a retirement are not mutually exclusive terms, as they can both occur before or during a match.
A walkover occurs when a player withdraws from a match before it starts due to injury, illness, or penalty of code of conduct. A retirement occurs when a player stops playing during a match due to injury, illness, or emergency. In both cases, the player who withdraws forfeits the match and the player who continues wins by default.

Walkover vs. Default

A default is when a player is disqualified from a match or a tournament due to violating the rules of conduct, such as receiving too many warnings, penalties, or code violations from the umpire or the referee. A default can also happen if a player fails to show up for a scheduled match without a valid reason.
Defaults may carry a ranking penalty, and the match is treated as a loss for the player who defaulted. Therefore, the key difference between a walkover and a default lies in the reasons for not playing and the consequences for the players.

Walkover vs. Withdrawal

A withdrawal is when a player decides not to enter or continue in a tournament due to injury, illness, or other reasons. A withdrawal can happen before or during a tournament, but not after a match has started.
When a player withdraws from a tennis tournament, the consequences depend on when the withdrawal occurs. If the withdrawal happens before the entries close or before the player’s first match, it does not affect the player’s record, and the opponent receives a walkover to the next round.
However, if the withdrawal occurs after the entries close or after the player has already played a match, the opponent is awarded the win, and the withdrawing player forfeits the match. Therefore, the timing of the withdrawal determines whether it results in a walkover or a win for the opponent.

Impact on Rankings and Prize Money

ATP

In the ATP, a walkover occurs when a player is unable to participate in a scheduled match due to reasons such as injury, illness, or personal circumstances. When a player receives a walkover, they are granted ranking points for moving through to the next round despite not winning a match. This means that the player receives the points as if the match had been played. For example, if a player receives a walkover in the first round of a tournament, they will be awarded points for a first-round win. The impact of a walkover on a player’s ranking depends on various factors such as the level of the tournament, the player’s previous results, and the number of ranking points at stake. If a player receives a walkover in a Grand Slam tournament, the impact on their ranking will be significant as the tournament carries a large number of ranking points.
For example, if a player receives a walkover in the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam tournament, they will earn 720 points, the same as if they had played and won the match. However, the player who gives a walkover does not receive any ranking points for that round.

In the 2014 ATP Finals, Roger Federer withdrew from the final match against Novak Djokovic due to a back injury, giving Djokovic a walkover and the title. Djokovic received 1500 ranking points for winning the tournament, while Federer received 1000 points for reaching the final.

In the 2016 French Open, Rafael Nadal withdrew from the third round match against Marcel Granollers due to a wrist injury, giving Granollers a walkover and a spot in the fourth round. Granollers received 180 ranking points for reaching the fourth round, while Nadal received 90 points for reaching the third round.

WTA

According to section eight of the WTA rulebook, a walkover in tennis occurs when a player is unable to participate in a scheduled match due to unforeseen circumstances such as injury, illness, or other reasons. The impact of a walkover on a player’s ranking depends on various factors, including the level of the tournament and the round in which the walkover occurs.
In the WTP (Women’s Tennis Professional) Rankings, a player who receives a walkover is granted ranking points for reaching the next round if it’s past the first round and they played and won a match. The WTA’s method of awarding ranking points for a walkover is stricter than the ATP’s approach, as the player receives the ranking points for reaching the next round only if they played and won a match.
For example, if a player receives a walkover in the first round of a WTP tournament, they will not receive any ranking points. However, if they receive a walkover in the second round, they will receive points for reaching the third round. If they play and win a match in the third round, they will receive additional points for the semifinals and the final.
In summary, according to section eight of the WTA rulebook, a walkover in WTP Rankings can impact a player’s ranking points in the following ways:

No ranking points are awarded if the walkover occurs in the first round and the player does not play and wins a match in the second round.

Ranking points are awarded for reaching the next round if the walkover occurs in the second round or later, and the player plays and wins a match in the subsequent round.
The number of ranking points awarded depends on the round in which the walkover occurs and the player’s performance in the subsequent rounds.
In the 2019 French Open, Naomi Osaka withdrew from the second round match against Anna Karolina Schmiedlova due to an abdominal injury, giving Schmiedlova a walkover and a spot in the third round. Schmiedlova received 130 ranking points for reaching the third round, while Osaka received 70 points for reaching the second round.

Impact on Prize money

The impact of a walkover on prize money in tennis varies among different organizations such as the ATP, WTA, and other tennis governing bodies. Here’s a comprehensive explanation based on the provided search results:

ATP and WTA: Both the ATP and WTA award prize money for matches played. If a final cannot be played due to a walkover, each finalist is typically paid runner-up prize money.
The ATP awards ranking points for moving through to the next round despite not winning a match, while the WTA’s method of awarding ranking points for a walkover is stricter than the ATP’s approach. The WTA awards prize money for a walkover in any round, but the ATP and WTA do not award the full prize money for walkovers.

For other tennis organizations, such as the USTA or the LTA, the prize money rules may vary depending on the level and type of the tournament. For example, the USTA states that in national tournaments, a player who receives a walkover in the first round of the main draw or the consolation draw will receive the prize money for that round, but a player who receives a walkover in any subsequent round will not receive the prize money for that round. The LTA states that in British Tour events, a player who receives a walkover in the main draw will receive the prize money for that round, but a player who receives a walkover in the qualifying draw will not receive any prize money.
The WTA has recently announced plans to restructure its professional tour in order to introduce equal prize money with the ATP for its top-tier events. This means that the WTA 1000 events, which are equivalent to the ATP Masters 1000 events, will have the same amount of prize money for both men and women. The WTA also plans to increase the prize money for its lower-tier events, such as the WTA 250 and WTA 125, to provide more opportunities and incentives for players. The ATP has not yet commented on the WTA’s proposal, but it is expected that the two organizations will work together to achieve a more equitable and sustainable tennis ecosystem.

Famous Walkovers

Here are some of the most famous walkover examples in tennis history:

Novak Djokovic’s victories: Djokovic has benefited from walkovers more often than the average player, with opponents withdrawing from matches against him 0.7% of the time. This is roughly the same rate as opponents of Murray, Nadal, Roger Federer, and Donald Young and Dmitry Tursunov.
Andy Murray’s matches in Miami: In 2014, Murray reached the final of the Miami Masters after Kei Nishikori withdrew from the event due to injury. This was the second match at the Sony Open that Djokovic didn’t have to play, as Florian Mayer pulled out before their scheduled third-round match.
Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal at the French Open: In 2013, Nadal withdrew from the French Open due to injury, which led to a walkover victory for David Ferrer in the final.

Rafael Nadal vs. Marcel Granollers in the 2016 French Open third round. Rafael Nadal, the nine-time champion and the king of clay, pulled out of the match against Marcel Granollers due to a wrist injury. It was the first time Nadal had ever withdrawn from a Grand Slam tournament in his career.
High-profile walkovers at the Australian Open: In 2017, world No. 1-ranked player Andy Murray withdrew from his semifinal match against Stan Wawrinka due to a hip injury. Wawrinka was then granted a walkover to the final.
Serena Williams vs. Venus Williams in the 2001 Indian Wells semifinals. Venus Williams withdrew from the match against her sister Serena Williams due to a knee injury, sparking controversy and accusations of match-fixing. The crowd booed Serena during the final, which she won against Kim Clijsters, and the Williams sisters boycotted the tournament for several years after the incident.

Naomi Osaka vs. Victoria Azarenka in the 2020 Western & Southern Open final. Naomi Osaka withdrew from the match against Victoria Azarenka due to a hamstring injury, giving Azarenka the title by walkover. Osaka had previously made headlines for refusing to play her semifinal match in protest of racial injustice, but later agreed to play after the tournament was paused for a day.

Tips on Dealing With Walkovers

To avoid giving or receiving a walkover in tennis, players should focus on their physical and emotional well-being, proper preparation, and effective time management. Here are some tips to help players avoid walkovers and deal with the emotional and physical consequences of them:

Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, and get enough rest to preserve strength and endurance throughout the tournament.

Proper preparation: Ensure that you are well-prepared for each match, including having a good grasp of your opponent’s playing style and strategies.
Effective time management: Plan your schedule to allow for adequate rest and relaxation before matches. This can help prevent last-minute injuries or illnesses.
Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water before, during, and after matches to maintain proper hydration levels and prevent cramps or other physical issues.

Manage emotions: Learn to control your emotions during matches, as extreme emotions can lead to mistakes and loss of focus. Practice relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or visualization, to help manage stress and anxiety.
Be aware of the tournament schedule: Keep track of your match schedule and plan for potential schedule conflicts. Inform the tournament organizers if you anticipate any issues that might affect your ability to participate in a match.
Communicate with your team: If you are feeling unwell or injured, discuss your concerns with your coach, trainer, or team members. They can provide valuable advice and support to help you make the best decision for your health and career.

If you receive a walkover, it’s essential to focus on the positive aspects, such as gaining valuable ranking points and moving through to the next round of the tournament. Remember that it’s out of your control, and focusing on the things you can control, like your preparation and performance in future matches, is more important

Wrapping up

A tennis walkover is a situation where a player wins a match without playing a single point because their opponent withdraws or is disqualified before the match. If the opponent withdraws or is disqualified during the match, it is called a retirement or a default, respectively.
A walkover can have significant implications for both the players and the tournament organizers, as it affects the rankings, prize money, and fan expectations. However, the rules for prize money may vary depending on the tennis organization and the level and type of the tournament. For example, the ATP and WTA pay prize money only for matches played, while the USTA and the LTA may pay prize money for walkovers in some cases.

We have also discussed how to avoid giving or receiving a walkover, and how to deal with the emotional and physical consequences of a walkover. This sentence is not a factual error, but it is vague and does not reflect the content of the article. It would be better to summarize the main points or tips that you have discussed in the article, such as consulting a doctor, communicating with the tournament officials, preparing mentally and physically, etc.

What is a Walkover in Tennis