Tennis is an exciting sport to watch and bet on, but like any sport, it has its own unique terms and situations. One such term you might have come across is “walkover”. Understanding what a walkover is can be helpful, especially if you plan to bet on a tennis match.
Continue reading to learn what a walkover means in tennis and how it can affect your betting decisions.
What Is a Walkover in Tennis?
In tennis, a walkover occurs when a player is unable to take part in a scheduled match, so their opponent advances to the next round without playing.
Walkovers typically arise because of injury, illness or personal reasons affecting the player who cannot compete. They are different from a retirement or forfeit during a match, which happens after play has already started.
When a walkover is declared, the remaining player is awarded the win and progresses automatically without having to hit a ball.
Walkover, Withdrawal, Retirement and Default: What’s the Difference?
In tennis, these terms describe distinct ways a match can end, or fail to begin. Understanding the differences matters, especially since tournament rules and results records may treat each case differently.
Walkover
A walkover occurs when a player cannot start a scheduled match after the draw and order of play are set (for example, due to injury, illness, or failing a pre-match fitness test). No points are played, and the opponent advances automatically.
Walkovers are recorded as a win for the advancing player, but no official match score is played out. Some events may adjust prize money or ranking points differently, in line with their regulations.
Withdrawal
A withdrawal happens before a player’s first ball of the relevant match or event is struck. The player pulls out in advance (for example, before their opening match, or between rounds if they have not yet started the next match).
If the withdrawal relates to a specific scheduled match, the opponent typically receives a walkover. In some competitions, an alternate or lucky loser may replace the withdrawing player, subject to eligibility and timing rules.
Retirement
Retirement occurs after a match has started. A player stops because they cannot continue (for example, due to injury, illness, heat stress, or other incapacity). The opponent is awarded the win.
The score is recorded up to the point of retirement, and the retiring player concedes the remaining games. Official statistics usually include the completed points and games.
Default
A default is a disqualification, usually for a code violation, lateness, or other disciplinary reason (for example, unsportsmanlike conduct or repeated offences). It can occur before or during a match and results in the opponent winning.
Defaults may carry additional penalties under the tournament’s code of conduct, which can include fines or further exclusion as set out by the governing body.
In short: withdrawal is before play begins; walkover is awarded when a scheduled match cannot start; retirement is stopping after play has begun; default is a disciplinary disqualification. For any wagering-related queries, consult the relevant rules to understand how each outcome is settled, and never assume uniform treatment across events or operators.
Does a Walkover Count as a Win?
In tennis, a walkover is recorded as a win for the player who is able to compete. Although the match is not played, the advancing player is officially listed as the winner of that round.
The advancing player does not receive match statistics or ranking points from the unplayed match, beyond progressing to the next stage of the tournament. Any match-specific records for that round are not credited.
For tennis betting, whether a walkover counts as a win depends on the rules of the betting operator. Some sites void bets when a match is decided by walkover, so always check the terms and conditions of your chosen bookmaker before placing a wager.
Examples of Notable Tennis Walkovers
At Wimbledon in 2024, Novak Djokovic reached the semi-finals without striking a ball in the quarter-finals after Alex de Minaur withdrew with a hip issue. The withdrawal resulted in a walkover, meaning Djokovic advanced to the last four while no match statistics were recorded for that round.
A similarly high-profile instance came at the ATP Finals in 2014, when Roger Federer pulled out of the title match due to a back problem. His withdrawal handed Novak Djokovic the trophy by walkover, an unusual finish for the season-ending event.
In both cases, the walkover arose before play began. Under the rules, the player who remains in the draw progresses, while the match itself does not count towards win–loss records or on-court statistics.
What Happens to a Bet When There Is a Walkover?
When a walkover occurs in tennis, how your bet is settled depends on the rules of the betting site you used. Different operators can treat walkovers differently, so it is important to know their specific terms before placing a wager.
Often, if a match is declared a walkover before any play begins, the bet is voided and your stake is returned. Some bookmakers, however, have distinct provisions that may change how bets are settled in these circumstances.
Always read the betting site’s terms and conditions to see how they handle walkovers and similar outcomes. Knowing the rules for your chosen operator helps you avoid unexpected results when betting on tennis.
For complex cases related to wagering, consult the operator’s rules or customer support to confirm how a walkover would affect promotional bets or wagering requirements.
