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Tennis Masters Series 2003 looks and feels very nice. All the tennis player models are depicted very realistically move fluently and animate very well. Each character has been given a great amount of detail to look like their real-life counterparts, and the effort has been put to good use. The games numerous courts also look and feel very real, though the ever-infamous cardboard crowd is still evident. All the graphics are very sharp, and have a very organic feel to them.

Audio seems a mixed bag in Tennis Masters Series 2003. While the games sound effects are very good and realistic, there is no in-match music, which leaves for a rather empty feel during play. The sound effects, such as the ball being hit with your racket, the pitter-patter of tennis shoes on the court, and the games announcer all sound very authentic. As previously mentioned, there is no music what so ever during the tennis matches, so you are left with the faint noises of a tennis ball being bounced around to keep you interested. If Hip Interactive didn’t want to put the effort into making a soundtrack to the game, they could have at least implemented Xbox’s custom soundtrack option. But as it stands, the sounds of the game get very boring.

One thing Tennis Masters Series 2003 does very, very well is simulate a real tennis match. Gameplay in Tennis Masters Series 2003 is one-uped only by going out on the court and playing the real thing. The characters all respond very quickly and seem to know what they’re doing. For example, if you run for the ball, and it’s just out of arms reach, the character may take the chance of diving for the ball. This adds a nice level of depth to the experience. The game doesn’t boast many options, just the necessities: the games career mode, and exhibition, all of which basically play the same. In the games career mode, you play through numerous tennis matches, trying to win as many as you can, which in turn gets you money, and a chance at the big prize. The games exhibition mode allows you to play one game of tennis either by yourself, or with up to 3 friends. The exhibition mode allows you the added option of playing a doubles game, as opposed to being restricted to singles like in the career.

The number of Tennis games is few, so it’s good to know that what’s out there is decent enough to hold the interest of fans of the sport. The game boasts nice visuals and smooth gameplay: everything a game of this type needs.