Sega recently announced the development of Virtua Tennis 2009 for Wii. Not only will this be the first Virtua Tennis game for a Nintendo home console, but it also has the distinction of being the first tennis game on Wii with online play. Players will also be able to enjoy a single player mode that includes the series' signature Court games, which are a variety of sometimes silly - but fun - tennis mini-games.

Just like the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3 versions, the game will have tennis greats such as Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova, Roger Federer, and many others. In addition, the game is slated to include five new Court games along with many classic ones from earlier titles. Virtua Tennis 2009 will also feature over forty different court variants and a World Tour Mode.

The developer of the game has yet to be announced, but it’s highly possible that it is British studio Sumo Digital who created the Xbox 360 port of Virtua Tennis 3 and all versions of Sega Superstars Tennis. Interestingly, Sumo Digital revealed in an interview with Kikizo that Sega Superstars Tennis was originally envisioned as a Virtua Tennis game for Wii.

Virtua Tennis 2009 will hit stores shelves this May.

SEGA'S NUMBER ONE TENNIS GAME SMASHES ON TO Wii

Virtua Tennis™ 2009 is confirmed for Wii release.

LONDON & SAN FRANCISCO (February 13th 2009) – SEGA Europe Ltd. and SEGA of America, Inc. today announced that the Virtua Tennis™ series will, for the very first time, be released on the Wii™ system and will hit stores in May 2009.

Wii owners will finally be able to take to the courts in the fan's number one tennis game, boasting all the features and arcade action that has made Virtua Tennis the most critically acclaimed and best selling tennis series available. Virtua Tennis 2009 for Wii includes the same impressive player roster as Virtua Tennis 2009 on other platforms, meaning top stars such as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams will all be in the game, as well as players new to the series such as Andy Murray and Ana Ivanovic. Over 40 vibrant court environments will be playable within single player, multiplayer and online modes giving Virtua Tennis 2009 an impressive online and offline depth for a Wii title.

"The Virtua Tennis series is perfect for the Wii platform," said Sean Ratcliffe, Vice President of Marketing, SEGA of America, Inc., "SEGA is excited to be able to bring this uniquely interactive experience to Wii. The multiplayer Court Games in particular will be a feature that family and friends can enjoy together."

The list of Court Games has also been updated for Virtua Tennis 2009, meaning the return of old Virtua Tennis favorites, some revamped classics, and five new games. Virtua Tennis 2009 for the Wii will also include the official Davis Cup® license and the World Tour Mode, which will allow Wii owners to experience Virtua Tennis online.

In addition to the Wii version, Virtua Tennis 2009 is due for release on the Xbox 360® video game and entertainment system, the PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system and the PC in May 2009. Further information relating to the content of the game will be available over the coming months from the official website of the game – www.virtuatennis2009.com.