The Spectator, February 2nd, 2002
SPECTATOR SPORT
IT is a truth universally acknowledged in sport that you've either got it or you ain't - the 'it' in question being the ability to win. This is quite separate from being good with a ball, or running frightfully fast, or whatever. This mysterious gift, this non-talent, is the thing that turns your other talents into gold. It is the gift of alchemy.
It is best observed in moments of difficulty, when the player who has it is matchpoint down; when life, the universe and everything seem to have rallied on the opposite side, and the spectator can see directly the force of the champ...
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