• TopSpin 2K25 — Big-budget, modern sim with high production values and an approachable-but-deep control system; still has stability and feature complaints since launch.
• TIEBREAK (Official Game of the ATP and WTA) — Official license, big roster and tournament coverage; good ambition but patchy launch reception and some rough edges.
• Tennis Elbow 4 — Most simulation faithful and mechanically deep tennis engine; smaller production but extremely well regarded by serious sim players.
• Matchpoint: Tennis Championships — Decent attempt with accessible controls; older and simpler, mixed reviews on depth and polish. Good value if you want straightforward matches.

Head-to-head: what matters

1) Core gameplay and realism

• Tennis Elbow 4: Favoured by simulation purists. Physics, ball trajectories and tactical depth are tuned for authentic feel; community regularly praises its realism. Best if you want a steep, rewarding skill curve.
• TopSpin 2K25: Aims to blend realism with accessibility. Strong rally feel and tactical shot selection, but reviewers flagged missing QoL features and some roughness that reduce consistency. Good rally to rally feel but not perfect.
• TIEBREAK: Big Ant’s engine from the AO and Tennis World Tour series; aims for realism and broad simulation features thanks to official ATP and WTA license. Initial impressions and some reviews reported inconsistencies at release.
• Matchpoint: Simpler system; more accessible controls but less nuanced physics and predictable AI. Feels more like an indie sim than a deep simulator.

2) Controls and learning curve

• TE4 — Precise, technical; requires learning but rewards mastery. Strong keyboard and controller mapping and community tips and mods.
• TopSpin 2K25 — Complex but with tutorials and academy modes to onboard players; still more accessible than TE4.
• TIEBREAK — Multiple input systems; attempts to balance accessibility with simulation options but launch reports showed unevenness.
• Matchpoint — Easiest to pick up; less rewarding long term for competitive players.

3) Modes, career depth and features

• TopSpin 2K25 — Franchise style career, MyPLAYER features, exhibition, online play. High production with narrative and academy elements.
• TIEBREAK — Official career with 90 tournaments, creator mode and special challenges such as Slam Challenges. Strong on licensed content.
• TE4 — Deep match customisation, strong training and coaching mechanics via community content; less flashy career presentation but rich simulation tools.
• Matchpoint — Basic career, exhibition, some mini modes; limited variety compared with the other three.

4) Roster and licensing

• TIEBREAK — Clear advantage: licensed ATP and WTA players and events with big roster including top stars. Great for playing with real names and tournaments.
• TopSpin 2K25 — Includes major stars and licensed presentation; strong line-up.
• TE4 — Largely community driven rosters and unlicensed by default; mods can add players. More about gameplay than names.
• Matchpoint — Smaller licensed content; fewer big names.

5) Online, community and longevity

• Tennis Elbow 4: Longstanding, passionate community; modding and community servers extend life. Very positive sentiment overall.
• TopSpin 2K25: Big publisher support and potential for esports and online play, but user review mix shows some friction.
• TIEBREAK: Official branding gives visibility and potential support; initial mixed reception implies community will push for patches.
• Matchpoint: Smaller user base; stable but less active community than TE4.

6) Graphics and presentation

• TopSpin 2K25: Top tier presentation, polished stadiums, player likenesses and presentation elements.
• TIEBREAK: Modern visuals, official stadiums, but some reviewers noted roughness in animations and AI at launch.
• TE4: Functional visuals; focus is gameplay fidelity over photo realism.
• Matchpoint: Older graphics; acceptable but not cutting edge.

7) Stability, launch issues and patches

• TIEBREAK and TopSpin 2K25 both had mixed user feedback after launch noting missing features, AI issues and rough edges. Expect post launch patches.
• TE4: Mature and stable with fewer major issues.
• Matchpoint: Older title with fewer current problems, but also fewer updates.

8) System requirements and price

• TIEBREAK and TopSpin 2K25: require mid to high specs with SSD recommended.
• TE4 and Matchpoint: lighter on hardware; good for older PCs.

Final recommendations

• Choose Tennis Elbow 4 if you are a simulation purist who wants the deepest mechanics and a community that values realism.
• Choose TopSpin 2K25 if you want a modern, cinematic experience with strong presentation but can tolerate some rough launch edges.
• Choose TIEBREAK if official ATP and WTA licensing and real tournament structure matter most to you.
• Choose Matchpoint if you want a simple, accessible game that runs well on modest hardware.

Which tennis game is best for the Steam Deck?

If you want the smoothest and most reliable tennis experience on the Steam Deck, Tennis Elbow 4 is the safest pick. It runs well on the Deck’s hardware, feels great on a controller, and has the kind of long-term community support that keeps the game improving over time. It may not look as flashy as newer titles, but it’s easily the most consistent and rewarding choice.

If you’re after modern visuals and a more polished presentation, TopSpin 2K25 is worth a look. It does run on the Steam Deck, but you’ll need to dial the graphics down and accept that performance won’t be perfect in every situation. Still, if you want a big-production tennis game on a handheld, it’s the strongest option.

As for the rest: TIEBREAK isn’t a good match for the Deck right now due to its rough launch state, and Matchpoint works mainly as a simple, casual fallback rather than a serious long-term pick.

In short:

• Casual option: Matchpoint
• Best overall: Tennis Elbow 4
• Best modern presentation: TopSpin 2K25 (with tweaks)
• Not recommended: TIEBREAK