Virtua Tennis 4 is an action-packed tennis game that focuses on fast matches rather than realistic simulation. The heart of the game lies in its career mode, where players create their own avatar and aim to reach the top within four seasons. In this mode, players can improve their tennis player by playing training sessions, buying new clothes with prize money, or participating in matches.
The gameplay involves various modes, including single matches, party mode (featuring arcade mini-games), and arcade mode (where players aim to win as many matches in a row as possible). Players can choose from 19 licensed athletes, including retired athletes available only on the PlayStation 3 version. The standard controls for returning the ball involve selecting a move, such as a spin, and choosing a direction.