Tennis Walkover Rules: What Is a Walkover in Tennis?

If you follow tennis, you may have come across the term walkover, although its meaning and implications are not always immediately clear. A walkover can occur when a match does not take place as scheduled, which can be confusing, particularly for those new to the sport or to online betting. 

Understanding how walkovers are handled could provide useful insight into how tournament results are recorded and how bets are settled. This Mr Luck article explains how walkovers work, how they are treated in official records, and why it might be helpful to understand them. Read on to learn more. 

What Does a Walkover Mean in Tennis?

A walkover in tennis is when one player moves forward in the draw because their opponent cannot take part in the match. The match does not start and no points are played. Common reasons include injury, illness, an administrative issue, or another problem that prevents the player from appearing on court.

This is different from a retirement. If a match begins and a player later cannot continue, that is recorded as a retirement, and any points or games played still count for official purposes.

For betting, settlement after a walkover depends on the bookmaker’s published rules. Many operators void regular match markets if no play takes place, while outright tournament bets usually continue. UK Gambling Commission (UKGC)-licensed bookmakers must make these policies clear in their terms, so checking the tennis rules page before placing a bet could help avoid surprises.

If you decide to place bets on tennis matches, remember to do so responsibly and within your means; never wager more than you can afford to lose. 

Common Reasons a Walkover Happens

Walkovers generally happen for reasons outside a player’s control. Injury is the most frequent cause, such as a strain or sprain in practice that makes it unsafe to compete. Illness can also prevent a player from taking part, particularly at events with strict health protocols.

Personal circumstances sometimes intervene. Travel problems or visa issues can stop a player arriving on time, and urgent family matters may require a withdrawal before a match starts.

In rarer cases, a player may be withdrawn because of a rules issue before the match begins, or disqualified from the event entirely. When that happens before a ball is struck, the scheduled opponent progresses by walkover.

All of these outcomes move one player on in the draw but produce no match statistics, because no play occurs.

Is a Walkover the Same as a Forfeit?

Not quite. A walkover is about a player being unable to start a match for a legitimate reason, so the opponent advances without any play.

A forfeit, often called a default in tennis, is a disciplinary outcome. It usually follows a serious breach of the rules or repeated code violations. If a player is defaulted before a match begins, the scheduled opponent goes through, and the tournament will record that progression in line with its rules. If the default happens after a match has started, any games already played are recorded and the opponent wins the match.

For betting, the key point is whether any play took place. If a ball was never struck, most regular match markets are typically treated the same way as a walkover and are voided under many bookmakers’ rules.

What Happens to Betting Markets After a Walkover?

If a match ends in a walkover, settlement usually follows the bookmaker’s tennis rules for unplayed matches. In most cases, standard match result markets are void if no point is played, so the stake is returned. Markets based on what happens during the match, such as total games, sets, or handicaps, are normally void as well because there is nothing to settle against.

Outright markets on the tournament are handled differently. If a player advances because of a walkover, outright bets on that player to win the event remain active. Accumulators commonly treat the unplayed leg as void, with the rest of the bet standing, but policies vary.

Because terms can differ between operators, it might be worth checking the tennis section of the rules or help pages. UKGC-licensed sites in the UK publish clear settlement guidelines, and support teams can confirm how a specific market will be handled.

Bet On Tennis Online

Here at Mr Luck, you will find clear odds displays, familiar formats, and helpful notes on how each market is settled.

We also provide match data and simple explanations of common scenarios, including walkovers and retirements, so you can see how your bet would be handled before you place it. If anything is unclear, our help centre and support team are on hand.

If you would like to get started, create an account to browse upcoming events and the latest prices. We aim to keep things transparent, with tools to help you manage your play in line with your preferences and budget, and terms that set out exactly how tennis bets are settled. Always keep responsible gambling practises in mind. 

_{**The information provided in this blog is intended for educational purposes and should not be construed as betting advice or a guarantee of success. Always gamble responsibly.}

_{*All values (Bet Levels, Maximum Wins etc.) mentioned in relation to these games are subject to change at any time. Game features mentioned may not be available in some jurisdictions.}