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On court, the power game is linked to the economy of energy - points end after fewer strokes and in less time. On the other hand, a game built around strategy, like the Serve and Volley game, is linked more to patience. I believe the gradual disappearance of the Serve and Volley in modern tennis can be traced back to several factors; the difficulty and time commitment required for its development, equipment advancements, improvements in the players' physical fitness, and the fans thirst for the more "glamorous" game.

It's no secret that the American culture favors instant gratification: fast food, high speed internet, ATM machines, digital photography, video games, express lines, frozen foods, etc., etc. All take little energy with immediate results. It's no different with sports. We inherently choose the path of least resistance.

Some of the great Serve and Volleyers include such great players as Pat Rafter, Stefan Edberg, Boris Becker, Max Mirnyi, Jonas Bjorkman, Taylor Dent, Martina Navratilova, Jana Novotna, and occasionally Justine Henin. To master the Serve and Volley is to add the most effective weapon in the game of tennis to a player's arsenal. So, why is this style of play going the way of home cooked meals? That's easy, because it takes time and a whole lot of effort to achieve the desired results.