What is a Lucky Loser in Tennis?
Last Updated on November 3, 2025
A Lucky Loser (LL) is one of the most exciting and dramatic elements in professional tennis. It refers to a player who loses their final qualifying match but is granted a last-minute entry into the main tournament draw.
Think of it as a second chance delivered by sheer good fortune, typically due to another player’s unexpected withdrawal.
Why is the Lucky Loser Rule Needed?
The primary purpose of the Lucky Loser rule is to keep the tournament draw full and balanced after a last-minute withdrawal.
- Filling the Slot: If a player who automatically qualified for the main draw withdraws due to injury, illness, or another reason after the qualifying tournament is complete, their spot must be filled. This ensures every scheduled match has two competitors.
- Fairness and Points: It provides an unexpected lifeline to a player who was just one win away from qualifying. This player gets the opportunity to compete for main-draw prize money and ranking points, which are significantly higher than those earned in qualifying rounds.
How is a Lucky Loser Selected?
The selection process is clearly defined, but it has a key distinction between regular ATP/WTA tournaments and the Grand Slams:
| Tournament Type | Eligibility | Selection Method |
|---|---|---|
| ATP/WTA Tour Events | Players who lost in the final round of qualifying. | The highest-ranked player among those eligible gets the spot. |
| Grand Slams (Australian Open, etc.) | Players who lost in the final round of qualifying (usually the top four eligible). | A random lottery draw is conducted among the eligible final-round losers. |
- The Rationale: Grand Slams use a lottery to prevent players from potentially manipulating or throwing their final qualifying match in order to secure a better ranking-based Lucky Loser position later on.
- The Timing: A player can only enter as a Lucky Loser if the main-draw withdrawal occurs before the start of the first match of the main draw. Once a ball is struck in the main draw, the spot cannot be filled by an LL (unless it’s a walkover, or a player defaults before the first point).
The Impact: Rushing to the Court
For the player, being a Lucky Loser often involves a chaotic dash:
- On Standby: Eligible players often sign a “Lucky Loser Sign-In Sheet” and must remain on site or nearby, ready to play, even after losing.
- The Sudden Call: They may receive the call to play just minutes before the scheduled match time, forcing them to quickly prepare mentally and physically for a match they thought they were out of.
- Unpredictable Matchup: Like a wildcard, an LL is unseeded and is slotted directly into the withdrawing player’s position in the draw. This can mean a sudden, high-stakes match against one of the top seeds in the world.
Despite the last-minute stress, the opportunity is huge. Some of the most notable Cinderella stories in recent tennis history have been delivered by Lucky Losers who seized their second chance.
Quick Q&A
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can a player who lost in the first round of qualifying be a Lucky Loser? | Rarely. Eligibility is almost always limited to those who lost in the final round of qualifying. Only if there are multiple withdrawals and all final-round losers have already entered would earlier-round losers be considered. |
| Do Lucky Losers get points and money? | Yes. Once in the main draw, they earn the same prize money and ranking points as any other player for each round they progress through. |
| Can a Lucky Loser win the tournament? | Yes! Though rare, it has happened on both the ATP and WTA Tours, most recently with Jan-Lennard Struff who reached the final of the Madrid Masters 1000 in 2023. |
Famous Lucky Loser Victory: Coco Gauff
While Coco Gauff’s initial breakthrough at Wimbledon 2019 was as a Wildcard (where she stunned Venus Williams), her historic first professional title came later that year as a Lucky Loser (LL) at the Upper Austria Ladies Linz tournament.
This achievement highlights the true opportunity a Lucky Loser spot provides: a second life that can lead to championship success.
The Road to Linz 2019
The story of Coco Gauff’s first WTA title is a perfect illustration of the unpredictable nature of the Lucky Loser rule:
- The Loss: Gauff, then just 15 years old, entered the qualifying tournament at the Linz Open in Austria. She won her first qualifying match but then lost in the final round of qualifying to German player Tamara Korpatsch. Her tournament seemed over.
- The Lifeline: Shortly thereafter, Greek player Maria Sakkari withdrew from the main draw due to injury. As Gauff was one of the highest-ranked players to have lost in the final round of qualifying, she was selected as a Lucky Loser and granted Sakkari’s spot in the main draw.
- The Perspective: Her father reportedly told her, “You can’t lose twice in the same tournament!”—a common joke among players, but one Gauff took to heart.
A Run of Incredible Victories
Once in the main draw, Gauff went on a tear, demonstrating the maturity and power that would define her career:
- Maiden Top 10 Win: In the quarterfinals, Gauff secured her first career victory over a top-10 ranked player by defeating World No. 8 Kiki Bertens. This win was a massive confidence booster and proved she belonged at the elite level.
- The Final Showdown: She battled her way to the final against former French Open champion, Jelena Ostapenko, known for her aggressive, hard-hitting style. The match was a tense three-set affair that showcased Gauff’s defensive speed and relentless competitive spirit.
- A Historic Title: Gauff ultimately defeated Ostapenko, securing her first-ever WTA Tour title at the age of 15 years and seven months.
The Significance of the Victory
Gauff’s win in Linz cemented her place in tennis history for several reasons:
- The Youngest Champion: She became the youngest WTA singles title winner in 15 years, showcasing a generational talent.
- The Rarest Title: She joined a very short and exclusive list of players who have won a WTA tour-level title as a Lucky Loser, a feat that requires both tremendous skill and a touch of fate.
- A Ranking Leap: The title propelled her into the Top 100 of the world rankings, accomplishing the ambitious goal she had set for herself that season.
Coco Gauff’s triumph in Linz perfectly encapsulates the “lucky” in “Lucky Loser”—the spot was a gift of chance, but the win itself was a product of fierce talent and remarkable composure.