Walk over

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Walk over (abbreviated w.o.) is a term mostly used in equestrian sports and in tennis.

In tennis it is to sign that a tennis match has not ended regularly due to health problems of one player. In example, when tennis player no.1 won the first set 6:2 and is leading in the second set with 3:1 and has to give up due to health problems, the official result is written "tennis player no.1 vs. tennis player no.2 6:2, 3:1 w.o.".

The origin of this phrase comes form horse racing. The entries for any particular race are made some time before the race itself. Inevitably, a number of horses drop out as the race approaches. Occasionally, all the horses except one are withdrawn. As it would be silly for this horse to race against itself, it is taken to the finish and 'walked over' the line to indicate it was still entered and willing to race. A 'winner by default' as it were.