I've been a avid fan of the virtua tennis franchise ever since it's introduction of the first game. I remember using Carlos Moya for his trademark hard-hitting ability. His strikingly fast ball that breezes past opponents, sometimes causing them to dive which produces a lob which I take delight in smashing it back and watching the slow-mo smash scene with awe. As time went by, I realised the way I played didn't suit the style the computer generated Moya and took comfort in the virtual Cedric Pioline for his all round ability. Using any of these two players enabled me in putting Master to his knees. Though I never played him due to the fact I didn't find anyone to play doubles with, I've seen King at work. Although the game is a classic , I hope to beat him someday. Virtua tennis 2 wasn't much of an improvement compared to the first. I played the arcade version a few times but it was no match for it's predecessor. The only take I liked about the game was the introduction of females players, not because I'm a guy (if you know what I mean) but because of the increase in the selection of players with various trademark skills. Right now I live and breathe Virtua Tennis 3. It's realistic gameplay and graphics with it's updated selection in today's most prominent tennis stars caused me to only only buy the arcade IC card which allows me to customise my player but to also buy the PC game (at a discounted rate too). When I first started out, it doesn't take a genius to figure who I picked as my IC card character (though I regret it now), Roger Federer with his all round ability inspired me to take notice of the sport more, though I still have an undying passion for Football (Futsal to be more precise). However like Carlos Moya in the first game, it didn't work out but I didn't want to get another IC card (I'm glad I didn't). The player that suited me even more was, believe it or not, Rafa Nadal. Even before his rise to World No.1, I was using the virtual Nadal with his lightning fast pace to run for every ball and leaving opponents in no man's land (except for King and Duke in which I took sometime to overcome). I even used an uncustomised Nadal to beat a 100 plus ranked Roddick, which some guy developed, 2 sets to 1 in our first match and obliterated his virtual character in straight sets without losing a single point in the second (I never saw him in that particular arcade again). All in all, with the announcement of Virtua tennis 2009 brings about thoughts that a year by year franchise may be on the cards.