When a match ends without a standard finish, tennis uses specific terms that mean very different things. Fans often lump them together, but the distinctions matter for the draw, scheduling and sometimes stats.
Here’s the simple breakdown:
- Walkover (WO): the match never starts
- Retirement (RET): the match starts, then a player stops
- Default (DEF): a player is removed, usually for a rule violation
This guide explains each term and what you’ll see on scoreboards and draw sheets.
What Is a Walkover (WO)?
A walkover happens when a player advances because their opponent withdraws before the match begins.
Key points:
- No points are played
- The match is not completed because it never started
- The opponent is usually injured, ill, or otherwise unable to begin
In draws, you’ll often see “WO” next to the result.
A walkover is essentially a late withdrawal that occurs after the draw is set but before the match starts.
What Is a Retirement (RET)?
A retirement happens when a match begins and then a player stops because they cannot continue.
Key points:
- At least one point has been played
- The player is typically injured or physically unable to continue
- The opponent is awarded the match
In scorelines, you’ll see something like:
6–3, 2–1 RET
That means the player retired while trailing 2–1 in the second set.
Retirements are common in a long season, especially when players attempt to start and then realize they can’t finish.
What Is a Default (DEF)?
A default happens when a player is removed from a match for a violation rather than physical inability.
Common causes include:
- code violations escalating to disqualification
- unsportsmanlike conduct
- audible obscenity or verbal abuse
- physical aggression
- refusal to continue under rules
A default can occur at any time after the match begins.
In scorelines, you may see “DEF” or “defaulted,” sometimes with an incomplete scoreline depending on when it happened.
Defaults are rare compared to retirements, and the penalty reaches well past the match itself. Under ATP rules a defaulted player forfeits the ranking points and prize money earned across the entire tournament, not only the match in which the violation occurred.
Two cases show what that means in practice. Denis Shapovalov was defaulted from his 2025 Washington quarter-final against Ben Shelton following an exchange with a spectator, forfeiting the prize money and ranking points attached to that round. Andrey Rublev was defaulted from the 2024 Dubai semi-final but appealed successfully, and the committee judged the customary penalty disproportionate on the available evidence and restored his points and prize money.
The severity of the penalty has drawn criticism from inside the game. Vasek Pospisil, co-founder of the PTPA, publicly called for the rule to be changed after the Shapovalov default.
Walkover vs Retirement vs Default: Quick Comparison
| Term | Did the match start? | Why it happens | How it appears |
|---|---|---|---|
| Walkover | No | Withdrawal before start | WO |
| Retirement | Yes | Injury/illness during match | RET |
| Default | Yes | Disqualification/rules violation | DEF |
Do These Outcomes Affect Rankings Points?
How each result is recorded:
- The advancing player receives the ranking points and prize money for the round reached, as though the match had been played
- A walkover is not recorded as a win or a loss in either player’s official win-loss record, and does not enter the head-to-head
- A retirement does count in both records — a win for the player advancing, a loss for the player who stopped
- A walkover produces no match statistics, so aces, winners and serve percentages are unaffected
For the broader points framework, see How Tennis Rankings Work. For how any of these results moves a bracket, see How Tennis Tournaments Work.
The short version: a walkover moves the bracket, while a retirement and a default move the record.
Why These Terms Matter for Fans
These outcomes change how a tournament unfolds:
- a top seed can advance without playing (walkover)
- a player can win a match but lose physical momentum (retirement)
- a draw can swing due to an unexpected default
They also affect scheduling and recovery time, especially in tournaments with matches on consecutive days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a walkover the same as a withdrawal?
It’s a type of withdrawal, but specifically one that happens before the match begins and results in an automatic advance.
Can a player retire between sets?
Yes. Retirement can occur at any time after the match starts.
Are defaults common?
No. Defaults are rare and usually involve major rule violations.
Does a walkover count as a win?
No. The advancing player takes the ranking points and prize money for the round, but the result does not appear in either player’s official win-loss record and does not count in the head-to-head.
Does a defaulted player lose anything beyond the match?
Yes. Under ATP rules a default forfeits the ranking points and prize money earned across the whole tournament, though that penalty can be appealed.
