Virtua Tennis 4 is an action-oriented tennis game that focuses on fast matches instead of being a realistic simulation. The heart of the game is the career mode where the player creates his own avatar. The goal is simple: reaching the top within four seasons. Here, the player has various possibilities to improve his tennis player, such as playing training sessions to improve statistics or buying new clothes with prize money.
Other playing modes include single matches, party mode (playing mini games) or arcade (winning matches in a row). Players can choose between 19 licensed athletes. The standard controls for returning the ball involve choosing a move, such as a spin, and the basic direction. When a special bar is filled up, players can unleash an especially powerful hit.