What Does Retired Mean in Tennis? Explained

By Sarah Miller · May 21, 2044

In tennis, ‘retired’ means a player withdraws from a match before completion due to injury, illness, or other physical reasons, resulting in a walkover win for the opponent. This is officially recorded as RET in scorelines.

Understanding Retirement in Tennis

When a tennis player retires during a match, it signifies they are unable to continue competing. Unlike losing by score, retirement is an involuntary withdrawal typically caused by physical distress. The term is formally used in official records and scoring systems across all major tournaments including Grand Slams, ATP, and WTA events.

Common Reasons for Retirement

Sudden injury (e.g., muscle strain, ankle twist)
Pre-existing condition worsening during play
Heat exhaustion or dehydration
Illness (e.g., viral infection, dizziness)
Mental health concerns or extreme fatigue

Retirement decisions are usually made in consultation with the player’s team or medical staff, though in urgent cases, the tournament doctor or chair umpire may intervene.

Differences Between Retirement, Walkover, and Default

While often confused, these terms have distinct meanings in professional tennis:

Term	Definition	Timing	Outcome
Retired (RET)	Player withdraws during a match	After match starts	Opponent wins by retirement
Walkover (W/O)	Player withdraws before match begins	Prior to first serve	Opponent advances automatically
Default	Player disqualified for misconduct	During match	Opponent wins by default

Table data source:1, 2

The table highlights key distinctions: retirement occurs mid-match due to physical inability, while a walkover happens pre-match. A default, meanwhile, results from code violations like racket abuse or verbal misconduct.

Impact of Retirement on Rankings and Prize Money

Retiring from a match has tangible consequences for players:

No ranking points awarded for the round retired
Limited or no prize money received
Potential impact on seeding in future tournaments
Risk of reduced sponsorship value after repeated retirements

However, under ATP and WTA rules, players who retire due to verified injury may still receive partial appearance fees in some tournaments, especially in exhibition events.

Year	ATP Retirements	WTA Retirements	Notable Incidents
2022	176	143	Andy Murray retired vs. Rublev (Wimbledon)
2023	189	151	Iga Šwiatek retired vs. Ostapenko (Dubai)
2024	194	158	Carlos Alcaraz retired vs. Djokovic (French Open final)

Table data source:3, 4

Data shows a steady increase in mid-match retirements over recent years, likely due to denser tournament schedules and higher physical demands. The 2024 French Open final retirement by Carlos Alcaraz amplified debate on player workload management.

Rules Governing Retirement

According to ITF and tour-specific regulations:

A player must inform the chair umpire of their intent to retire
Medical evaluation may be required before confirmation
Once retired, the decision is irreversible
Players cannot resume the match even if symptoms improve

Procedure During a Match

The process typically follows these steps:

Player signals inability to continue (via hand gesture or verbal communication)
Umpire pauses the match and calls for medical personnel if needed
After assessment, player formally declares retirement
Result is logged as RET in official records

Frequently Asked Questions About Retirement in Tennis

What does RET mean in a tennis score?

RET stands for “retired” and indicates that a player withdrew from the match before completion, awarding the victory to their opponent.

Can a player come back after retiring in tennis?

No, once a player retires, the match ends immediately and cannot be resumed, even if the player recovers during the same day.

Do retired matches count as losses?

Yes, a retirement counts as a loss in a player’s official record and they do not earn ranking points for that round.

Is retirement the same as a walkover?

No. Retirement happens during a match; a walkover occurs when a player withdraws before the match starts, often due to injury or scheduling conflicts.

Who decides if a player can retire?

The player makes the final decision, but medical staff and the chair umpire may assess the situation. In extreme cases, the tournament doctor can mandate withdrawal for safety.