What’s a Default in Tennis?

A default means a player is disqualified from the match — usually for breaking the rules or displaying unsportsmanlike behavior.

It’s not about injury. It’s about consequences.

1. How It Works
Defaults are rare but dramatic. A player can be defaulted for things like hitting a ball out of anger and injuring someone (yes, that’s happened), repeated code violations, or serious on-court misconduct. The chair umpire or tournament supervisor makes the call.

2. Why It Matters
Defaults don’t just end a match — they often come with fines, suspensions, or media fallout. They’re usually headline-grabbers for all the wrong reasons.

👂 Where You’ll Hear It

“He was defaulted after hitting a line judge with the ball.”
Translation: He didn’t just lose — he got disqualified.

“This is only the second default in Grand Slam history.”
Translation: This never happens. Something wild went down.

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