What does Walkover Mean in Tennis? Tennis History, Equipment, Match Play and More
by Ruksana | Updated Sep 01, 2023
What does Walkover Mean in Tennis?
A walkover in tennis is a situation where a player moves on to the next round of a tournament without actually having to play their scheduled match. This occurs when their opponent is unable to participate due to reasons such as injury, illness, or disqualification.
Unlike a retirement, where a player begins a match but is forced to stop midway due to injury or illness, resulting in their opponent's victory, a walkover is decided before the match starts. Essentially, a walkover grants one player an easy passage to the next round without any on-court action, though it can spark discussions about fairness and competition integrity.
In some instances, there can be confusion between walkovers and retirements, particularly when it comes to how they are presented in live score tracking apps. Notably, some platforms might label retirements as walkovers, leading to misconceptions. For example, during events like Wimbledon, a player might be declared as receiving a walkover even though their opponent had to retire from the match.
It's important to distinguish these terms since a walkover occurs prior to the match's commencement, while a retirement happens after the match has started but cannot be completed.
Does a Walkover Count as a Win?
A walkover in tennis does not contribute to a player's official records, as the match is effectively considered never to have taken place. Neither player is credited with a win or a defeat in such cases. The absence of competitive action prevents the outcome from influencing players' win-loss records, making walkovers distinct from regular match results.
Despite the lack of impact on records, the player who receives the walkover still gains the advantage of advancing to the next round of the tournament. This advancement is accompanied by the opportunity to collect the prize money associated with reaching that particular stage of the competition.
While the lack of actual on-court play can evoke discussions about the fairness of such advancements, walkovers remain an integral aspect of tennis tournaments, allowing players to progress without exerting physical effort in some instances.
Tennis
Tennis is a captivating racket sport played in both individual and team formats. In singles, players face off against a single opponent, while doubles involve teams of two players each. The game centers around using a strung tennis racket to hit a hollow rubber ball covered with felt over or around a net and into the opponent's court.
The primary objective is to strategically maneuver the ball in a manner that prevents the opponent from executing a valid return. Successful execution leads to gaining points, while the inability to return the ball validly results in a point for the opposing player. Tennis has a rich history and is a widely enjoyed sport played at various levels of society and across all age groups. It's an inclusive sport that can be embraced by individuals of diverse abilities, including wheelchair users.
The origins of tennis trace back to the late Middle Ages in France, with modern tennis evolving from lawn tennis, which emerged in Birmingham, England, during the late 19th century. This new version of the sport drew inspiration from other lawn games such as croquet and bowls, as well as from the older racket sport known as real tennis.
Despite minor rule adjustments over the years, such as the adoption of the tiebreak in the 1970s and advancements like the electronic review technology called Hawk-Eye, the fundamental rules of tennis have remained largely consistent since the 1890s.
This enduring appeal has made tennis a globally cherished pastime enjoyed by millions of recreational players and followed by enthusiastic spectators. Among the most esteemed events are the Grand Slam tournaments, including the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open, each played on different court surfaces and showcasing the pinnacle of tennis excellence.
Tennis History
Tennis history traces its roots back to the 12th century in northern France, where a simple ball game involving striking with the hand laid the foundation for the sport. This early form eventually evolved into jeu de paume, also known as the "game of the palm." Louis X of France, a notable figure in tennis history, embraced this precursor to modern tennis.
He transformed the game into "real tennis" and gained recognition for constructing the first indoor tennis courts in the modern style during the late 13th century. Dissatisfied with outdoor play, Louis pioneered the concept of enclosed indoor courts, a design that spread throughout Europe's royal palaces.
Tragedy struck in June 1316, when Louis X met his end after a particularly strenuous game at Vincennes. His demise, attributed to either pneumonia, pleurisy, or even suspected poisoning, makes him the first tennis player known by name in history.
The sport's popularity continued to grow, with King Charles V of France joining the ranks of early tennis enthusiasts. He established a court at the illustrious Louvre Palace, further solidifying tennis's status as a favored pastime.
The 16th century marked a pivotal period in tennis's evolution. Rackets were introduced, leading to the game adopting the name "tennis." This term was derived from the French word "tenez," which translates to "hold," "receive," or "take." The rackets enabled players to interact with the ball more dynamically, and the game continued to gain popularity, particularly in England and France.
During this era, tennis was predominantly played indoors, allowing players to hit the ball off walls and enhancing the strategic aspects of the sport. Notably, even King Henry VIII of England was an enthusiastic follower of this game, which eventually became known as "real tennis" and played a significant role in shaping the sport's historical narrative.
Tennis Equipment
Rackets:
A tennis racket is the essential tool in a player's arsenal, consisting of several key components. It features a handle, known as the grip, connected to a neck that joins a roughly elliptical frame. This frame houses a matrix of tightly pulled strings. In the early years of the sport, which spanned the first century of the modern game, rackets were constructed primarily from wood and adhered to standard size specifications.
The strings used were typically crafted from animal gut. However, the evolution of technology and materials brought significant changes. Laminated wood construction provided greater strength throughout most of the 20th century, until the introduction of innovative materials like metal, carbon graphite, ceramics, and lighter metals such as titanium.
These advanced materials facilitated the production of oversized rackets, offering players increased power and control. In addition to frame advancements, synthetic strings were developed to mimic the feel of natural gut while enhancing durability.
Strings:
The strings in a tennis racket play a crucial role in a player's ability to control the ball and generate power. There is a variety of tennis strings available, catering to different playing styles and preferences.
Traditional options include natural gut strings, known for their exceptional feel and responsiveness. However, modern technology has introduced synthetic strings made from materials like nylon, kevlar, or polyester, offering players a wider range of choices to suit their playing needs.
Hybrid stringing is another technique where two different types of strings are used for the mains (vertical strings) and crosses (horizontal strings). This customization can involve strings of varying materials or even different types of the same string. A notable example of a player employing hybrid strings is Roger Federer, who combines natural gut strings in the mains with polyester strings in the crosses.
Balls:
Tennis balls have undergone significant transformations in their composition and design over the years. Originally, they were constructed from cloth strips stitched together with thread and filled with feathers. In the modern era, tennis balls are crafted from hollow vulcanized rubber and feature a felt coating.
While they were traditionally white, the color of tennis balls shifted to optic yellow in the latter part of the 20th century to enhance visibility for players and spectators. To ensure fair play, tennis balls must adhere to specific criteria, including size, weight, deformation, and bounce. According to the International Tennis Federation (ITF) regulations, official tennis ball diameter ranges from 65.41 to 68.58 mm, and the weight should fall within the range of 56.0 to 59.4 grams.
Historically, tennis balls were manufactured in the United States and Europe, but in recent years, the majority of production has shifted to the Far East due to cost advantages in labor and materials. Tournaments governed by ITF Rules of Tennis must use balls approved by the ITF and listed on their official roster of approved tennis balls.
Tennis Match play
Continuity:
In the realm of tennis match play, the emphasis is on maintaining a continuous flow of action. To ensure a fair and engaging contest, arbitrary delays are not permitted. The pace of play is crucial, and service is typically required to commence within 20 seconds after the conclusion of the preceding point.
This time frame extends to 90 seconds during the transition between odd-numbered games, while a 2-minute break is allowed between sets. However, breaks are only permitted under specific circumstances, such as inclement weather, equipment issues, or retrieving an errant ball.
To prevent stalling, players exceeding the allocated time limit may face penalties ranging from a warning to point, game, and even default penalties, depending on the severity. In the event of interruptions like rain or darkness, play is resumed at a later time with the same score and players positioned as they were when the disruption occurred.
Ball Changes:
Balls used in tennis matches deteriorate rapidly due to the intensity of play. To ensure fairness, ATP and WTA tournaments mandate ball changes every nine games, with the first switch occurring after only seven games, factoring in the pre-match warm-up. However, in ITF tournaments like the Fed Cup, ball changes take place after every eleven games, with the initial switch occurring after nine games.
Notably, no ball change occurs at the onset of a tiebreaker; instead, it's postponed until the second game of the subsequent set. Maintaining consistent ball conditions is integral to the game. During extended breaks, a separate set of balls is used for re-warm-ups, and the original match balls are reintroduced when play resumes, signifying the significance of ball continuity within the game.
On-Court Coaching:
Recent shifts in tennis rules have introduced a limited form of on-court coaching during matches. This innovation, implemented in women's tennis for WTA Tour events since 2009, permits players to request coaching assistance once per set.
While coaching traditionally occurred from the sidelines, this rule change allows for a brief, direct exchange between player and coach during breaks. This adjustment adds a new layer of strategic collaboration and insight to the game, enabling players to receive guidance and input from their coaches in real-time scenarios
What is a Walkover in Tennis? - FAQs
A walkover in tennis occurs when a player advances to the next round of a tournament without playing their scheduled match, typically due to their opponent's inability to participate because of injury, illness, or disqualification.
Unlike a walkover, which is decided before the match starts, a retirement happens when a player starts a match but is unable to complete it due to injury or illness, resulting in victory for the opponent.
The objective of tennis is to use a racket to hit a hollow rubber ball over a net and into the opponent's court. The aim is to maneuver the ball in a way that prevents the opponent from returning it successfully.
Tennis's origins trace back to the 12th century in northern France, evolving from a simple ball game. Over time, the sport developed into real tennis, and its modern form emerged in England during the late 19th century.
A tennis racket comprises a grip, a neck connecting to an elliptical frame, and tightly pulled strings. Rackets were initially made of wood, later evolving to materials like metal, carbon graphite, ceramics, and titanium.