A default can change a tennis match result and a player’s ranking points, but the effect depends on who was defaulted and why. A player who is defaulted for a serious rule violation may lose the points earned at that tournament, while an opponent who advances by default generally receives the points for the round they reach.
That is different from an injury retirement or a withdrawal before a match. Those situations are often recorded as a retirement or walkover, not a misconduct default, and the ranking consequences can be different. Here’s how to tell them apart.
What happens to ranking points when a player is defaulted?
In a typical misconduct default, the player who is defaulted forfeits the ranking points earned at that tournament. The result does not usually leave them with the points for the last round they started or partly played. Instead, the event points they had earned are removed under the applicable tour or tournament rules.
The player’s ranking does not necessarily fall by a fixed number of places. Rankings are based on points from multiple tournaments, so the effect depends on how many points are removed, what other results count, and what happens to the player’s other points in the rolling ranking period.
The opponent normally advances. Their points are based on the round they reach, just as if they had won the match in the usual way. A default does not usually give the advancing player extra points beyond that round’s normal allocation.
Default, retirement and walkover: the key difference
These terms can sound similar in a draw, but they describe different situations. A misconduct default is a penalty imposed during a match, such as for a serious code violation. A retirement is when a player stops because of injury or illness. A walkover usually means a player advances because their opponent cannot start the match.
| Situation | Player who leaves or cannot play | Opponent |
|---|---|---|
| Misconduct default | May lose all ranking points earned at that tournament | Advances and is credited according to the round reached |
| Injury or illness retirement | Usually keeps points for the round reached, subject to event rules | Advances to the next round |
| Walkover before a match | Usually receives no points for a round they did not reach | Advances and receives the points for the round reached |
The table is a general guide, not a replacement for a specific event’s rulebook. The ATP, WTA, Grand Slam and ITF regulations may differ in their details, and the official result classification matters. If a player leaves because of an injury, for example, that is not automatically a misconduct default.
What happens to the player who advances?
For ranking purposes, the advancing player is generally credited for the round they reach, even if they did not complete a match. For example, if a player’s opponent is defaulted in the fourth round of a tournament, the player advances to the quarterfinals. Their event points are normally based on reaching the quarterfinals, not on how many games they played in the match.
The same basic idea applies when a player receives a walkover before the match starts: the walkover can help them advance to the next round and earn the points tied to that achievement. The points available depend on the event and the tour’s points table.
There is usually no separate ranking bonus for winning by default. A player who advances this way receives the standard points for the round reached, rather than extra points for the opponent’s penalty.
A well-known example: Novak Djokovic at the 2020 US Open
Novak Djokovic was defaulted in the fourth round of the 2020 US Open after hitting a ball that struck a line judge. He forfeited the ranking points and prize money he had earned at that tournament. The default did not erase points from his other events; it affected the points and prize money tied to that US Open appearance.
The case also shows why the official label matters. Djokovic was not recorded as retiring with an injury. He was defaulted for a rules violation, so the consequences were more serious than simply leaving a match early.
When do the points affect a player’s ranking?
Professional rankings use results gathered over a rolling period, generally 52 weeks, with tour-specific rules about which results count. When a tournament result is entered or removed, the player’s total can change. Rankings are then updated on the tour’s regular schedule, commonly after the week’s events finish.
A default can therefore have two effects to keep in mind:
- Current event points: points earned at the tournament may be removed from a player who is defaulted.
- Other ranking points: results from other tournaments remain subject to the normal ranking rules and expiration dates.
It is also possible for a player’s ranking to change by more or less than expected. If another result expires at the same time, or a different result becomes part of the player’s counted total, the net change may not match the points lost at the event.
How to check a specific default
To work out the ranking impact, check the official tournament result first. Look for whether the match is listed as a default, retirement or walkover. Then check the relevant ATP, WTA, Grand Slam or ITF regulations and the points table for that event. The draw alone may show who advanced, but it may not explain what happened to the defaulted player’s points.
For a precise answer, note the tournament, round, season, and whether the player was defaulted during a match or withdrew before it began. Those details can determine which rule applies.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a player who is defaulted keep points for the round they reached?
In a misconduct default, the player may lose all ranking points earned at that tournament, rather than keeping the points for the last round they started. Check the event’s governing rules for the exact treatment.
Does the opponent get ranking points after a default?
Generally, yes. The opponent advances and receives the points associated with the round they reach. A default does not usually add bonus points beyond that round’s normal allocation.
Is an injury retirement treated like a default?
Usually not. An injury retirement is different from a misconduct default, and the retiring player generally keeps points for the round reached. The official match classification and event rules are important.
Can a player’s ranking drop immediately after a default?
The player’s points total can be affected when the tournament result is processed, but their ranking position depends on the full ranking calculation and update schedule. Losing event points does not automatically mean dropping a set number of places.
Final Thoughts
The main rule of thumb is simple: a misconduct default can cost the defaulted player the ranking points earned at that event, while the opponent usually receives points for the round they reach. An injury retirement or pre-match walkover is not the same thing, so check how the result was officially recorded before assuming points were removed.
