Widely regarded as one of the greatest ever sportspeople, Roger Federer has often made it look astonishingly easy, remaining at the top of his sport in an era of brutal competition and deep cynicism.

But his path from temperamental bleach-blond teenager to one of the most elegant of competitors has been an act of will, not destiny. Federer not only had talent. He had grit.

Top international sportswriter Christopher Cleary was on court in Paris for Federer's Grand Slam debut and has interviewed him exclusively more than any other writer. With wide access to Federer's inner circle, including his coaches and key competitors, The Master is a thrilling portrait of the workings of unfaltering excellence.