What’s a Retirement in Tennis?

In tennis, a retirement happens when a player stops mid-match and can’t continue — usually because of injury, illness, or physical distress.

It’s different from retiring from tennis, which means ending your career. This is just about calling it quits during a specific match.

The match ends immediately, and their opponent is declared the winner.

1. How It Works
If a player retires before the match is finished, the result still counts — the opponent wins and advances. Even if it’s 6–0, 5–0, 40–0… they still have to stop before match point to be officially recorded as a retirement.

2. Why It Matters
Retirements can flip the script. A player might have been winning — or it might’ve been a tight battle. Either way, they forfeit the match, and the draw moves on without them.

👂 Where You’ll Hear It

“She retired early in the second set.”
Translation: She had to stop playing — probably due to injury.

“Djokovic advances after a retirement.”
Translation: His opponent couldn’t continue, so he moves on.

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