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After more than a decade of anticipation, tennis returns with TopSpin 2K25 reviving this beloved franchise and infusing it with improved game mechanics and modern upgrades. With so many different shot types and ways to deliver to the ball to your opponent, having a good overview of the TopSpin 2K25 controls sets you up for success.
While you can likely manage on lower difficulties with the basics, knowing some more advanced techniques can help you either completely dominate at that level or push yourself to a higher difficulty and more challenging opponents. We'll go over all the TopSpin 2K25 controls you need and how players can get accustomed to them.
TopSpin 2K25 Controls Guide (PlayStation and Xbox)
The best place to start your TopSpin 2K25 journey is learning the basics from tennis legend John McEnroe himself at the TopSpin Academy. This extended tutorial mode is ideal for both tennis veterans and new players, and you'll have a much better time in other modes if you start there and learn the ins and outs of this latest arrival.
Even if you know relatively little about tennis and its terminology, you'll get a ton out of the TopSpin Academy as McEnroe (and a few others in the later more advanced tutorials) will easily explain things before challenging you with drills that test your understanding of each new control mechanic.
On the flip side, players who were veterans of Top Spin 4 or other tennis classics should get accustomed to the timing mechanics and some of the more advanced ways to play. Once you have a feel for things, you'll be able to more effortlessly apply all the various TopSpin 2K25 controls when you need them.
To start, here's an overview of the general TopSpin 2K25 controls every player needs:
| Action | Xbox Controls | PlayStation Controls |
| Move Character | Move Left Stick before Shot/Volley input | Move Left Stick before Shot/Volley input |
| Aim Shot | Move Left Stick during Shot/Volley input | Move Left Stick during Shot/Volley input |
| Inside Out Positioning | Hold LT before Shot/Volley input | Hold L2 before Shot/Volley input |
| Fast Repositioning | Hold LB while moving Left Stick | Hold L1 while moving Left Stick |
| Follow Shot to the Net | Hold RB before Shot/Volley/Serve input | Hold R1 before Shot/Volley/Serve input |
Serve Controls
Not every player is going to focus on trying to win from the serve, but knowing how to execute different types of serves will help give you options if one doesn't seem to be working right. For a normal serve, tap the button and then use the Left Stick to try and aim, but be careful not to aim too far to any particular direction.
Even for a power serve, any aim near edges is probably going to end in a fault without very high stats and a perfect timing serve input. Use the TopSpin Academy and MyCAREER drills to improve your timing on this, as it'll take a little practice to get used to moving the Left Stick just enough to shift your aim without missing entirely.
Here are all the TopSpin 2K25 serve controls you'll need:
| Action | Xbox Controls | PlayStation Controls |
| Normal Slice Serve | Tap X | Tap Square |
| Power Slice Serve | Hold X then release in the Green | Hold Square then release in the Green |
| Normal Top Spin Serve | Tap B | Tap Circle |
| Power Top Spin Serve | Hold B then release in the Green | Hold Circle then release in the Green |
| Normal Flat Serve | Tap A | Tap X |
| Power Flat Serve | Hold A then release in the Green | Hold X then release in the Green |
| Advanced Serve |
Move Right Stick down and then Up when in the Green | Move Right Stick down and then Up when in the Green |
Shot Controls
Next up, your bread and butter in any TopSpin 2K25 matchup will be a variety of shots you can deliver. The most important thing in most cases is going to be your timing. If you make too many poorly timed shot attempts, you're likely to either send a ball out and give away the point or to setup your opponent for an easy shot.
Similar to serves, you'll need some practice to get pinpoint precision when aiming. TopSpin Academy is a great option there, but regular shots can also be practiced well in just about any game mode.
Here are all the TopSpin 2K25 shot controls you'll need:
| Action | Xbox Controls | PlayStation Controls |
| Control Flat Shot |
Tap A | Tap X |
| Regular Flat Shot |
Hold A just before shot arrives, then release in the green before the Red Circle is full | Hold X just before shot arrives, then release in the green before the Red Circle is full |
| Power Flat Shot |
Hold A before shot arrives, then release in the Green after the Red Circle is full | Hold X before shot arrives, then release in the Green after the Red Circle is full |
| Control Slice Shot | Tap X | Tap Square |
| Regular Slice Shot |
Hold X just before shot arrives, then release in the green before the Red Circle is full | Hold Square just before shot arrives, then release in the green before the Red Circle is full |
| Power Slice Shot |
Hold X before shot arrives, then release in the Green after the Red Circle is full | Hold Square before shot arrives, then release in the Green after the Red Circle is full |
| Control Top Spin Shot |
Tap B | Tap Circle |
| Regular Top Spin Shot |
Hold B just before shot arrives, then release in the green before the Red Circle is full | Hold Circle just before shot arrives, then release in the green before the Red Circle is full |
| Power Top Spin Shot |
Hold B before shot arrives, then release in the Green after the Red Circle is full | Hold Circle before shot arrives, then release in the Green after the Red Circle is full |
| Control Lob Shot | Tap Y | Tap Triangle |
| Regular Lob Shot | Hold Y just before shot arrives, then release in the green before the Red Circle is full | Hold Triangle just before shot arrives, then release in the green before the Red Circle is full |
| Power Lob Shot | Hold Y before shot arrives, then release in the Green after the Red Circle is full | Hold Triangle before shot arrives, then release in the Green after the Red Circle is full |
| Control Drop Shot | Tap RT | Tap R2 |
| Regular Drop Shot | Hold RT just before shot arrives, then release in the green before the Red Circle is full | Hold R2 just before shot arrives, then release in the green before the Red Circle is full |
| Power Drop Shot | Hold RT before shot arrives, then release in the Green after the Red Circle is full | Hold R2 before shot arrives, then release in the Green after the Red Circle is full |
Volley Controls
Lastly, we have the risky but potentially high reward world of going for a volley. This is when you hit the ball back before it bounces, and it often requires your player to move up the court and closer to the net.
Be extremely careful to not go overboard looking for volleys. If you bunch up on the net too much, opponents could get an easy over the head lob shot or a good power strike that flies past you before you ever get a chance to volley it back.
Here are all the TopSpin 2K25 volley controls:
| Action | Xbox Controls | PlayStation Controls |
| Standard Volley | Tap A when in the Green | Tap X when in the Green |
| Power Volley | Tap B when in the Green | Tap Circle when in the Green |
| Control Volley | Tap X when in the Green | Tap Square when in the Green |
| Drop Volley | Tap RT when in the Green | Tap R2 when in the Green |
That wraps up all the TopSpin 2K25 controls players will need, but mastering them is a whole other challenge. As mentioned above, go through at least the basic and advanced tier of tutorials and lessons in TopSpin Academy.
After that, MyCAREER is the best place for players to head. You'll get plenty of opportunity to test your skills in matches, and month to month training includes several unique drills that will push your mastery of specific TopSpin 2K25 controls.
