The way that you chop down a tree is similar to how you might play a point in a tennis match. Of course, it would be great if you could chop down the tree with one huge chop, but, not likely. So, you take many strategic chops with the purpose of weakening the tree. Finally, you have weakened the tree so much that with the last stroke of the axe, the tree falls.
 
The same can be said about playing a point in a tennis match. You are probably not going to go out and serve an ace or hit a winner off the return of serve on a regular basis. Typically, you are going to serve the ball and it will come back. Or, your opponent will serve and you will start the point. There will be an exchange of several groundstrokes, maybe an approach shot, maybe a volley, a lob or overhead, etc. You might use several different shots, different speeds and spins. You will try to move your opponent around the court until you weaken his positioning, then attack and win, (chop down) the point. The winning shot might not even be tremendous or powerful. But, because of the way you set up the point, the point ending shot might be anti-climatic. Think about setting the point up in small increments. The total damage of these seemingly average shots can become very effective.
 
Remember, the patience and precision you would use to chop down a tree can be directly applied to setting up and winning a point in tennis match.
 
Good luck on the Courts!