What Does a Walkover Mean in Tennis? Explained

By Emma Wilson · January 24, 2026

In tennis, a walkover occurs when a player advances to the next round of a tournament without playing their scheduled match because their opponent withdraws before the match begins. Unlike a retirement or default during play, a walkover is recorded when a player fails to start the match due to injury, illness, scheduling conflicts, or administrative disqualification.

Understanding Walkovers in Tennis

A walkover is a procedural outcome in professional and amateur tennis tournaments that allows a player to progress in a draw after their opponent officially withdraws prior to the first serve. It is distinct from a retirement (which happens during a match) and a no-show (which may carry disciplinary penalties). Walkovers are common in Grand Slams, ATP, WTA, and ITF events, particularly during early rounds.

Common Causes of Walkovers

Injury or physical inability to compete
Sudden illness (e.g., viral infection, food poisoning)
Travel delays or visa issues
Failure to register or report on time
Administrative errors or disqualifications

Differences Between Walkover, Retirement, and Default

While often confused, these three terms refer to different stages and reasons for a match not being completed. Understanding the distinction helps clarify player records, rankings, and tournament logistics.

Term	When It Occurs	Reasons	Impact on Winner	Impact on Loser
Walkover	Before match starts	Injury, illness, travel, admin issue	Advances; counts as win for progression	No loss recorded; no ranking penalty
Retirement	During match	Injury, exhaustion, medical emergency	Wins match; gains points/match win	Loses match; retirement noted in stats
Default	During or before match	Code violations, unsportsmanlike conduct	Advances via penalty	Disqualified; possible fines/suspension

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows that walkovers do not penalize the withdrawing player in terms of official match losses, whereas retirements and defaults appear in performance statistics. Walkovers allow tournament continuity without competitive disadvantage to the advancing player.

Tournament Rules and Policies

Each tennis governing body has specific protocols for handling walkovers:

Grand Slams: Players must formally notify tournament officials by a specified deadline (usually one hour before match time) to avoid fines.
ATP/WTA Tours: Walkovers are reported immediately; repeated walkovers can trigger medical reviews or fines.
ITF Events: Lower-tier tournaments may require medical certification for injury-related walkovers.

Repeated walkovers can raise concerns about player commitment or fitness, potentially affecting seeding or wild-card allocations in future events.

Walkover Statistics in Professional Tennis

Walkovers are relatively rare but more frequent in larger tournaments due to packed schedules and global travel demands.

Tournament	Year	Total Matches	Walkovers Recorded	Walkover Rate (%)
Australian Open	2024	256	7	2.7%
French Open	2024	256	5	1.9%
Wimbledon	2024	256	6	2.3%
US Open	2024	256	8	3.1%
Indian Wells (WTA)	2024	96	3	3.1%

Table data source:3, 4, 5, 6

The data indicates that walkover rates average around 2–3% across major tournaments, with the US Open recording the highest frequency in 2024. Factors such as extreme heat (Australian Open) and hard court surface stress may contribute to higher withdrawal rates.

FAQ About Walkovers in Tennis

Does a walkover count as a win for the advancing player?

No, a walkover does not count as an official win on the player’s record. However, the player advances in the tournament and earns ranking points associated with progressing to the next round.

Can a player withdraw after the coin toss and still cause a walkover?

No. If a player withdraws after the coin toss but before the first serve, it is typically classified as a default, not a walkover. The timing of withdrawal determines the official designation.

Are walkovers included in head-to-head player records?

No. Since no match is played, walkovers are not reflected in head-to-head statistics between players.

Do players get fined for walkovers?

Generally, no fine is issued if the walkover is due to verified injury or illness. However, unexcused or repeated walkovers—especially without medical documentation—can result in fines from ATP, WTA, or tournament organizers.

Has a player ever won a tournament via multiple walkovers?

It is extremely rare, but in lower-level ITF or junior events with limited entries, a player might advance due to multiple walkovers, especially if they reach the final by forfeit. In top-tier tours, full draws make this nearly impossible.