What Is a Walkover, and Why Have There Been So Many at the US Open?

During US Open season, everyone’s a tennis fan — and this year has given us plenty to talk about. Among the outstanding style, beverage, and, of course, performance moments, there’s been an unusually high number of what’s known as walkovers in tennis: at least seven so far. But what is a walkover, exactly? And is it different from a retirement? Here’s what to know about the tennis term.

What Is the Difference Between a Walkover and Retiring a Match?

According to Friend at Court, a book of rules and regulations from the United States Tennis Association (USTA), a walkover can occur:

A walkover can even occur if a player retires from a match due to a scheduling conflict. And this year the tennis calendar is especially packed, since it’s an Olympics year. So that may be one reason there’ve been so many walkovers in the US Open so far.

As for the difference between a walkover and retirement: a walkover must be initiated before a match, not during. So if a player were to withdraw from a competition due to being injured mid-match or while the competition is ongoing, that would be a retirement.

What Is the Difference Between a Walkover and a Default?

The main difference between a walkover and a default lies in who initiates the action: a player is the one to initiate a walkover, whereas a default is initiated by the chair umpire. A default may occur if a player refuses to play for a reason that’s not allowed by the rules governing walkovers, for instance. But there are other reasons too. “Examples of this kind of default include a player who does not show up, a player who is defaulted for lateness, and a player who is defaulted for receiving an injection, infusion, or supplemental oxygen,” the rules state.

For instance, in 2020 20-time Grand Slam singles title winner Novak Djokovic was defaulted from his fourth-round US Open match and, subsequently, the entire tournament for hitting the line judge with a ball.

Does a Walkover Count as a Loss?

Though the phrase “won by walkover” is used, a WTA spokesperson told PS that a walkover does not count as a match win or a match loss for either player, meaning it does not affect their win-loss record. Retirements, though, do count as a match win or loss for the players.

Samantha Brodsky is a former assistant editor at PS. She uses her gymnast background to inform her sports and fitness coverage, powering through Peloton videos in her free time.