| Pete Sampras was the best known player of | | | | The style was created in the 1940's by Jack Kramer, |
| serve-and-volley tennis, though many players are | | | | though in his autobiography he cites the invention as |
| famous for their use of the style: Jon McEnroe, | | | | accidental, saying it was a necessary defense to the |
| Pancho Gonzales, and Martina Navratilova to name a | | | | constant attacks of Bobby Riggs. Whether purposeful |
| few. | | | | or accidental, the style has gone on to make the |
| Though there are some women who use the | | | | difference for dozens of players through the past few |
| technique, there are far fewer women than men who | | | | decades. |
| play this style of tennis. | | | | Unfortunately it seems that serve and volley tennis |
| In serve and volley tennis the player hits a strong | | | | retired along with Sampras to make way for a new, |
| serve and then runs towards the net. The goal is to | | | | more aggressive version of the sport. Though stars |
| return the ball before it bounces. This back and forth is | | | | like Roger Federer play serve and volley tennis at |
| called a volley. By keeping the ball in the air it maintains | | | | Wimbledon, most players choose more adaptable |
| momentum, making the task of the receiver that much | | | | styles of play. Serve and volley tennis has maintained |
| more difficult on the second hit. This strategy is best | | | | some semblance of popularity in part because it is a |
| executed on grass courts, though it can be used on | | | | much less tiring style of tennis than racing along the |
| any court. | | | | backcourt. |