What is a walkover in tennis?

In general, a walkover means a situation where one participant or team wins because the other does not show up or is unable to compete.

The term walkover originally came from horse racing in the 19th century. When only one horse was entered in a race, there was no competition. To officially win, the lone horse just had to walk across the finish line, hence the term walkover. Over time, this word began to be used in other sports and contexts to describe any situation where one side wins because the other doesn't show up or can't compete.

In tennis, a walkover occurs when a player wins a match because their opponent withdraws or is unable to play, often due to injury or other reasons. The player has to inform the tournament referee prior to the start of the match if he cannot participate due to any reason. The result of a walkover is not officially recorded as a win or loss for either player in their official statistics or rankings. 

At Wimbledon 2024, Novak Djokovic advanced to the semi-finals by virtue of a walkover. He moved forward without having to play his scheduled quarter-final match because Alex De Minaur withdrew due to a hip injury.

Novak Djokovic (SRB) with his violin celebration//Getty

Additionally, there was another walkover in the 2024 tournament. Lucas Pouille pulled out of his third-round match against De Minaur because of an injury, allowing De Minaur to advance automatically to the next round.

Difference between "walkover" and "retirement"

In tennis, both a walkover and a retirement refer to distinct scenarios where a match does not conclude as initially scheduled. But both scenarios are different. 

Walkover: This situation arises when a player fails to appear for a scheduled match due to reasons such as injury, illness, or personal issues. Consequently, their opponent is awarded the victory without any play taking place. Walkovers are announced before the match starts.

Retirement: This occurs when a player begins a match but is forced to withdraw mid-match due to injury, illness, or other issues. The player who retires is unable to continue, leading to their opponent being declared the winner. Retirements happen during the match, often after some play has occurred.

At Wimbledon this year, there were just two walkovers, but the tournament saw several mid-match retirements. For instance, Madison Keys was close to winning her fourth-round match against Jasmine Paolini but had to retire at 5-5 in the third set. Similarly, Grigor Dimitrov was unable to finish the first set of his fourth-round encounter with Daniil Medvedev, retiring at 5-3.

Madison Keys //Getty

Apart from walkover, and retirement, there is also the default in tennis. A default is when a player is disqualified from a match. This can happen if a player breaks the rules, such as through unsportsmanlike behaviour or repeatedly receiving penalties. When a player is defaulted, their opponent automatically wins the match.

In 2020, Djokovic became the first world No. 1 player to be disqualified from a Grand Slam singles tournament when he accidentally hit a line judge with a ball in frustration at the U.S. Open.

Then there is also the term withdrawal in tennis, which is very similar to walkover in meaning, but slightly different. A walkover happens after a tournament has started, while a withdrawal occurs when a tennis player decides not to participate before their first match.

Main reasons for a walkover 

• Injury: A player may be unable to start a match due to an injury sustained before the match begins. This could include various types of injuries such as muscle strains, ligament issues, or joint problems.
• Illness: Health issues like the flu, infections, or other illnesses can prevent a player from competing. If a player feels too unwell to perform, they might withdraw before the match starts.
• Personal Reasons: Unforeseen personal matters or emergencies, such as family issues or urgent obligations, may force a player to withdraw from a scheduled match.

Most famous walkovers in tennis 

Have a look at some of the most famous walkovers in tennis history. 

2014 ATP Finals: Roger Federer 

The 2014 ATP Finals was set to feature a thrilling showdown between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. However, the highly anticipated final never took place. Federer, who had been dealing with back issues, managed to secure a win over his compatriot Stan Wawrinka in the semi-finals. Unfortunately, this effort aggravated his injury, leading to his withdrawal from the final.

Just an hour before the start of the final, Federer announced in a Facebook post that he would not be participating in the final due to an injury. The walkover handed Djokovic the title. Djokovic, in a show of sportsmanship, played an exhibition match against Andy Murray to compensate for the lost final.

2016 French Open: Rafael Nadal

The French Open is Nadal’s domain, where he has established an unparalleled legacy. However, in 2016, this dominance was interrupted when Nadal, after comfortably advancing to the third round, withdrew due to a wrist injury. His exit opened the door for Djokovic, who went on to win his first French Open title. 

Champion Novak Djokovic celebrating//Getty