A player who retires after a tennis match has started generally keeps the ranking points earned for reaching that round. The retirement does not wipe out points from earlier rounds, and the player does not receive points for rounds they did not go on to play or win.
The key distinction is between a retirement and a walkover. If a player begins the match and then stops because of injury or illness, the result is recorded as a retirement. If the player withdraws before the match starts, it is normally recorded as a walkover or withdrawal, and the event’s rules determine the points credited. Here’s how tennis ranking points after retirement usually work in practice.
Do players keep ranking points after retiring?
Yes. In a main-draw match, a player who starts but cannot finish is usually treated as having lost that round. They receive the ranking points associated with reaching that stage of the tournament, just as they would if they had completed the match and lost.
For example, suppose a player wins two matches to reach a tournament’s quarterfinals, then retires during the quarterfinal because of a leg injury. The player normally receives the quarterfinalist points—not zero points, and not the points for reaching the semifinals. The opponent advances and receives the points for the next round they reach.
The score, how long the player competed, and whether they completed a set do not usually change the round-based ranking credit. Once the match has started, a retirement is a match result, not a cancellation of the player’s tournament progress.
Retirement vs. walkover: what’s the difference?
A retirement happens after play begins. A walkover happens when a player cannot start the scheduled match, often because of an injury or illness. The distinction matters because the retiring player has taken part in the match, while the player who gives a walkover has not.
| Situation | What happens to the match? | How ranking points are usually handled |
|---|---|---|
| Player starts, then retires | The opponent is recorded as the winner. | The retiring player normally receives points for reaching that round. |
| Player withdraws before play starts | The opponent advances by walkover. | The withdrawing player is generally credited for the stage reached, not for winning the unplayed match; event rules can matter. |
| Player retires in a later round | The opponent advances to the next stage. | The player who retires does not receive points for later rounds they never reach. |
Walkover details can depend on when the withdrawal happens and the tournament’s regulations. A final is a special case to check against the event’s official rules, since finalist status and the points attached to it may be treated differently from an ordinary unplayed match. The tournament’s results page or the ATP or WTA ranking table is the safest source for an unusual case.
Does retiring cause a ranking-points penalty?
In general, a player is not docked ranking points simply for retiring. If they have earned points by reaching a round, those points are normally credited. The ranking effect is usually indirect: the player misses the chance to win more points, and may also lose points from the previous year when those results come off the rolling ranking list.
That timing can make an injury retirement look costly. Imagine a player who reached the semifinals at the same tournament last year but retires in the quarterfinal this year. Their current quarterfinal points may be added, but last year’s semifinal points can expire as the ranking period rolls forward. The drop is caused by the old points coming off and the new result being smaller—not by an extra retirement deduction.
Ranking points are also separate from entry protection. A protected ranking, where available, can help an injured player enter tournaments after returning; it does not restore points lost from an earlier result or award points for a match the player did not complete.
How retirement affects the opponent
The opponent is generally credited with a win and advances to the next round. If that player then wins another match, they earn the points for the later stage they reach. A retirement therefore does not normally cap the opponent at the points for the round where the injury happened.
For example, if a player retires in a quarterfinal, the opponent moves into the semifinals. The opponent can earn semifinalist points by losing there, or more by reaching the final or winning the tournament. The retired player remains credited for the quarterfinal stage.
This can feel harsh when a match is close or the injury is serious, but rankings measure tournament progress rather than the reason a match ended. The same round-based logic applies whether the match ends with a retirement, a completed loss, or—in some circumstances—a default, though defaults can involve separate tournament rules.
When are the points added and removed?
ATP and WTA rankings use a rolling period, generally based on results from the previous 52 weeks, with tour-specific rules about which results count. A retirement does not create a separate ranking calendar. The points for the result are recorded under the event’s normal schedule, then later drop off according to the ranking system’s timing.
Points can also differ by tournament level and round, and the ranking tables can change over time. So it is better not to assume that every quarterfinal or first-round loss earns the same number of points. Check the current official points table for the relevant tour and event.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you get ranking points if you retire in the first round?
If you start the match and then retire, you generally receive the points assigned to a first-round loss. The exact number depends on the event and the current tour points table.
Do players lose points for retiring?
Usually, there is no extra ranking-points penalty for retiring. A player keeps the points earned for reaching that round, but cannot earn points from rounds they do not reach.
Does a walkover count as a win for ranking points?
The player advancing by walkover generally progresses in the draw, but walkovers are not the same as matches played. The points credited to each player depend on the round and the event’s rules.
Does retiring affect prize money as well as ranking points?
Prize money and ranking points are separate. A tournament may have its own payment rules for a retirement or walkover, so check that event’s regulations rather than assuming the ranking-points outcome determines the payment.
Final Thoughts
When a tennis player retires after a match has begun, they normally keep the ranking points for the round they reached. Their opponent advances, while the retiring player earns nothing for later rounds they never play. A pre-match withdrawal is different: it is usually a walkover, and the exact points depend on the stage and tournament rules. For a specific case, check the official draw and the current ATP or WTA points table.
