What is a Walkover in Tennis?
A walkover, or W.O. is a tennis term for when a player advances to the next round of a tournament without having to play a match. This can happen for a variety of reasons, but the most common is when a player is unable to take part in the match due to injury or illness. A walkover is also referred to as a “default” or “forfeit” in some circles.
Is a Walkover Considered a Win?
The answer to this question is both yes and no. Yes, a walkover is technically considered a win and the player who received the walkover is credited with a victory and advances to the next round. However, since the player was not required to compete and did not actually win the match, it is not considered a legitimate victory.
Why Do Walkovers Happen?
There are several reasons why a player may be forced to forfeit a match, including:
- Injury: A player may be injured and unable to play, or the injury may have occurred during the match and the player is unable to continue.
- Illness: A player may be too sick to play, either due to a cold or more serious medical condition.
- No-show: A player may simply not show up for the match, whether due to a late arrival, transportation issues, or simply forgetting.
- Default: A player may be defaulted for a variety of reasons, such as unsportsmanlike conduct, arriving late, or using performance-enhancing drugs.
What Are the Rules for Walkovers?
The rules for walkovers vary from tournament to tournament, but in general, a player must be given at least 30 minutes after the scheduled start of the match to show up before they are considered a no-show. If a player arrives after that time and the match has already started, they will be defaulted.
What Happens if Both Players Receive a Walkover?
If both players in a match receive a walkover, then the match will be decided by a coin toss. This is because no player can be declared the winner, so a random method is used to determine who advances to the next round.
Are Walkovers Common?
Walkovers are not overly common in professional tennis, as most players will do their best to show up for the match and compete. However, there are still some instances where a player may be forced to forfeit due to injury or illness, or simply not show up.
What Happens to the Prize Money?
The prize money for a walkover is usually split between the two players, with the player receiving the walkover getting a larger portion. The exact amount depends on the tournament, but it is usually between 60 and 80 percent.
How Does a Walkover Impact Rankings?
A walkover is usually not counted as a win in the rankings, as the other player did not actually compete. However, the player receiving the walkover will still get points for advancing to the next round, which can help boost their ranking.
Conclusion
A walkover is a term used in tennis when a player advances to the next round of a tournament without having to actually play the match. Though a walkover is technically considered a win, it is not a legitimate victory and does not have the same impact as an actual win. The rules for walkovers vary from tournament to tournament, but they are usually not overly common. The prize money for a walkover is usually split between the two players, with the player receiving the walkover getting a larger portion, and the impact on the rankings is usually minimal.