Non-Completed Matches in Professional Women's Tennis (1975-2024): Epidemiology, Trends, and Associated Factors of Walkovers and Defaults.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Walkovers (WOs) and Defaults are significant occurrences in professional tennis, leading to uncompleted matches. WOs typically result from injuries, illnesses, or unforeseen circumstances, while Defaults stem from code of conduct violations. Understanding their epidemiology is essential for optimizing competition structure and injury prevention strategies.

Hypotheses

The incidence of WOs in Women's Tennis Association (WTA) tournaments increases over time. Both WOs and Defaults are associated with competition-related factors.

Study design

Retrospective cohort study.

Level of evidence

Level 3.

Methods

A total of 706,816 singles matches from WTA tournaments between 1975 and 2024 were analyzed. To assess the occurrence of WOs and Defaults, potenti

SUBMITTER: Pena V 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12640275 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature