How to Play Tennis in GTA V

Last Updated: June 16, 2022

Are you ready to play tennis in GTA V? Rockstar has done a surprisingly good job turning a GTA V mini-game into an engaging activity that’s as fun (if not more so) than other fully-fledged tennis games on the market. Tennis courts can be found all over Los Santos for you, a career criminal, to unwind and play a few games. To trade in your assault rifles for something a little less lethal, read on!

1

Finish the Mission Complications.

This will unlock Michael’s mansion. It also opens up a variety of activities including tennis and golf.

2

Select a Court.

There are 8 tennis courts in Los Santos to choose from:
- West Eclipse Boulevard – Michael’s Mansion
- Dorset Drive – Weazel Courts
- West Eclipse Boulevard – Richman Hotel Courts
- Great Ocean Highway – Chumash Hotel courts
- Palomino Avenue – Vespucci Apartment Courts
- Vespucci Beach – Vespucci Courts
- Elgin Avenue – Vinewood Apartment Courts.
- Picture Perfect Drive – USLA Campus Courts

3

Select the length of the game.

You can pick 1 game, 1 set, 3 sets, or 5 sets. Picking a game is the shortest option, where you only need to score six points against your opponent to complete the match. You’ll need to score seven points if your opponent manages to get at least five points on you. One set means winning at least six games, three sets involves winning at least 18 games and five sets means you need to win at least 30 games.

4

Pick the difficulty.

Start off with easy to familiarize yourself with the controls. Then, move on to normal or difficult for greater challenges. You’ll be able to duke it out with one of four AI opponents when playing in single-player mode:
- Donato
- Norman
- Rae
- Amanda De Santa – she’ll be your opponent in Michael’s mansion or when she’s accompanying her husband Michael.

5

Serve the ball.

Aim for the middle section of the bar to balance speed and control. If you want a fast shot with the most force behind it, aim to serve when the bar hits the red area. Use your analog stick or mouse to aim where the ball will go.

6

Select the type of shot for a return.

Circular markers on your court side indicate where the ball will land. Get near or behind these circles in order to intercept the ball, and strike it in a way that your opponent will have difficulty returning it back to you.
- Base Swing – This is the default return that is useful for returning most shots. It is the easiest to consistently hit for the beginning tennis player.
- Lob Shot – Launch your ball high in the air to catch opponents unawares. This can force them toward a particular side of their court and give yourself time to re-position yourself accordingly.
- Top Spin – A fast, high-bounce ball to take advantage of opponents that are far away from the side of the court opposite yours. Available when the marker turns red.
- Back Spin – A slow, low-bounce shot that has a tendency to make it difficult for your opponents to return balls the way they want to – sometimes resulting in them hitting them the net with the ball instead of returning it to your side of the court. Available when the marker turns yellow.

7

Vary your shots.

Switching up your shots can force your opponent to fumble. This results in a point for you! Tough opponents will do this to you in turn though, so keep your eye on the ball and note where your opponent will most likely aim his or her shot.