What is walkover tennis?

In tennis, a "walkover" occurs when a player is awarded the victory because their opponent is unable to start the match. It is not considered a win that was played; instead, it is given when one party is unable to compete. There are several reasons a player might withdraw, leading to a walkover:

1. Injury or Illness: If a player gets injured or falls ill before the match starts and cannot play, the opponent gets a walkover.

2. Personal Reasons: Sometimes players may withdraw due to personal issues, though this is less common.

3. Scheduling or Travel Issues: Occasionally, logistical problems might prevent a player from making it to the match.

4. Disqualification: Although rare before a match begins, a player may be disqualified under exceptional circumstances that prevent participation.

In professional tournaments, this is generally noted as W/O in the draw. It’s important to note that a walkover is different from a default, where a player or team is disqualified during a match due to unsportsmanlike conduct, rule violations, or other issues.

For ranking and statistical purposes, walkover victories do not generally count as matches won, because they do not involve actual play. However, players who advance due to walkovers do proceed to the next round and might benefit in terms of fitness by not having had to play a match.