Talent vs Ability

After listening to Hamid Hejazi of Inside Tennis on Radio Wimbledon this morning, it was rather interesting that he chose to use the word ability rather than talent when referring to spotting young tennis players. In my opinion he is absolutely right, to make the distinction between the two and concentrate on spotting ability and not talent in young athletes.

One can have ability that, if not channeled or even identified, will not be turned into a great talent. For example, can you imagine how the history books would read if Roger Federer aged 11 was not able to channel his ability to become what is arguably one of the best ever tennis players? He has taken his athletic ability, his ability to focus , his ability to be precise, and his ability to learn and has grown into one of the best shot makers of the game. We all have the ability to do something, whether or not that is physical or mental. It is what we do with that ability which defines wheter or not we have a talent, hidden or otherwise.