What Is a Walkover in Tennis?

min read
What is a walkover in tennis?
(AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Chase Kiddy @chaseakiddy Aug 22, 2023, 1:47 PM
  • In layman’s terms, a walkover is a pre-match forfeit.
  • The 2023 Australian Open has had a high-profile retirement but no walkovers.

The 2023 tennis calendar has produced some of the most memorable tennis in years, with Carlos Alcaraz growing into his role as the No. 1 tour player in the world. Tennis odds and tennis betting have become more popular, too.

The creation of thousands of new fans has left many wondering, at times, about some of the more specialized terminology that’s sometimes used in the sport. And when it comes to tennis, few things are more confusing than the vocabulary, culture, and betting rules regarding forfeits.

What is a Walkover in Tennis?

In tennis, there are two ways to voluntarily forfeit a match. A walkover is the pre-game variant, which happens when a player informs the umpire that they do not wish to play their scheduled match. Typically, this is most common for players who feel they are too injured to play.

Walkover Tennis Meaning: What Does a Walkover Mean in Tennis?

Walkovers are so named because the forfeiting player literally “walks over” to the net to inform their opponent and/or the chair umpire that they do not wish to play in their scheduled match.

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About the Author

Chase Kiddy

Read More @chaseakiddy

Chase Kiddy is a writer for BetMGM and co-host of The Lion's Edge, an NFL and college football podcast available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else. He has also written for a number of print and online outlets, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post, Daily News-Record, and HERO Sports. His first novel, Cave Paintings, is in development.

Chase Kiddy is a writer for BetMGM and co-host of The Lion's Edge, an NFL and college football podcast available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and everywhere else. He has also written for a number of print and online outlets, including the Richmond Times-Dispatch, Washington Post, Daily News-Record, and HERO Sports. His first novel, Cave Paintings, is in development.