As its predecessor, Virtua Tennis 2009 is not a hardcore simulation of the sport and only needs three buttons to perform all possible shots. Still time needs to be invested in training the character through practice matches, specific training sessions at the Tennis Academy, and 12 different kinds of mini-games. These include "Pirate Wars" which requires the player to hit and sink moving pirate ships and "Shopping Dash" where the player needs to collect items on the tennis floor while avoiding balls thrown at him.
These mini-games, as well as the normal singles and double matches can also be played with/against friends. In the World Tour mode, the player can only take one action per week. He can only play in a tournament or do one of the mini-games but not both for example. In addition he has to watch his stamina level which decreases more or less every time he plays a match or does a training session.