However, recently my partner played against a ranked junior who hit with an extreme western grip, with a lot of pace and not much direction. He also had a big serve. My partner did not fare very well to say the least. I notice the pro's rallies don't last that long anymore, so maybe consistency isn't that important. You are so right.
Tennis is built as a pyramid.
It is a lot like a house that needs a strong foundation to survive the years. Pro's rallies are varied - some long and some short. A good player can end a point with a huge serve or with a quick put-away at the net. You are on the right track and will probably win most of your matches with your all-around solid game. The ones that are televised often come on at such weird hours that I have to watch the cable listings constantly in order to tape the ones I am not able to catch live.