Crossword Genius

Virtuoso and master playing ball (7)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

maestro

'virtuoso' is the definition.
(thesaurus)

'master playing ball' is the wordplay.
'playing' is an anagram indicator.
'ball' becomes 'o'.
'master' with letters rearranged gives 'maestr'.
'maestr'+'o'='MAESTRO'

'and' is the link.

(Other definitions for maestro that I've seen before include "Famous conductor" , "Eminent musician" , "Outstanding performer" , "Virtuoso" , "Top player" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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