There is nothing more frustrating in tennis betting than backing a player who retires due to injury halfway through the match. The moment the umpire calls “Game, Set, and Match” due to retirement, bettors rush to check their slips. The problem? Not all bookmakers follow the same rules.
Some bookies will void your bet (return your money), while others might declare it a loss — or a win — depending on how much of the match was played. Our Tennis Rules & Settlement Suite removes the guesswork. It acts as an interactive guide to help you determine the status of your bet based on the three major international settlement standards.
Rules & Conditions Suite
Settlement Rules
- Moneyline (Winner): Almost always VOID (Refund). Since no play occurred, no bet stands.
- Tournament Winner (Outright): If you bet on a player to win the tournament, and they get a walkover, your bet STANDS and they move to the next round.
- Stats/Props: All VOID.
Impact: Volatility
Bet: Over Aces / Over Games
Bet: Fitter Player
Bet: High 1st Serve %
How to Use the Settlement Tool
This tool is not a mathematical calculator, but a logic engine designed to solve disputes. Here is how to navigate it:
1. The Retirement Solver
This is the most critical tab. Simply select when the retirement occurred (e.g., “During 1st Set” or “After 1st Set”). The tool will instantly show you the settlement status for:
- One Ball Served Rule: Common in some European and Asian sportsbooks.
- One Set Completed Rule: The standard for Betfair Exchange and most UK bookmakers.
- Full Match Rule: The standard for Pinnacle and many US sportsbooks.
2. Walkover Check
Confused about the difference between a retirement and a walkover? Use this tab to understand why your Moneyline bet was voided even though your player advanced to the next round.
3. Conditions Analyzer
Click on the interactive cards (Rain, Heat, Altitude) to learn how environmental factors impact betting markets like Total Aces or Total Games.
Real-World Examples: Did I Win or Push?
Understanding the “Big Three” rules is essential for managing your bankroll. Let’s look at a common scenario:
The Scenario
You bet $100 on Novak Djokovic to win. He wins the first set 6-4. In the second set, leading 2-1, his opponent twists an ankle and retires.
Outcome A: The “One Set Completed” Rule (Valid)
If you bet with a bookmaker like Betfair or Bet365 (in some regions), your bet is a WINNER. Since one full set was completed, the match is considered “official” for betting purposes.
Outcome B: The “Full Match” Rule (Void)
If you bet with a bookmaker like Pinnacle or DraftKings, your bet is likely VOID (Refunded). These books require the match to reach its natural conclusion (match point) for Moneyline bets to stand.
Outcome C: The “One Ball Served” Rule (Valid)
If you bet with a bookmaker using this rule, your bet is a WINNER. As long as a single point was played, the bet stands.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the difference between Retirement and Walkover?
A Retirement happens during the match (after the first serve). A Walkover happens before the match begins (e.g., a player withdraws during warm-ups). In betting, Walkovers are almost always Void (refunded), whereas Retirements depend on the specific bookmaker rules.
What happens to “Total Games” bets if a player retires?
Generally, if the outcome was not yet determined mathematically, the bet is Void. However, if the result was already guaranteed, it stands.
Example: You bet “Over 19.5 Games.” The score is 6-4, 5-5 when a player retires. The total is already 20 games. Your bet wins.
Does a rain delay void my bet?
No. In tennis, a match is only void if it is officially cancelled or abandoned. A rain delay, even if it lasts for days or forces the match to move to a different day, keeps the bets active (Pending).