Hot Shots Tennis is a simulation of the tennis sport. It is very arcade oriented which means the player only needs to hit the correct position to the ball and a good timing. The player also can choose between different shot variants by pressing the assigned buttons.
The game features three playing modes: trainings, exhibition matches and challenge mode. In the challenge mode, the player competes against AI opponents in a series of matches. As the player wins, their abilities improve, unlocking new characters, referees, and stadiums with varying advantages and disadvantages.
In multiplayer and free matches, players can adjust various settings, including game rules, and utilize unlocked rewards. The game also offers fun options such as unrealistic physics and slow motion mode.