But what does this mean for Roddick?

Is this the continuation of his third act? Another tease in his inconsistent career?

We’d have to assume it’s the former, if only because of the visible changes Roddick has undergone this year. Not to mention his road to Sunday’s final, which featured a five-set win over Lleyton Hewitt, a victory over the huge crowd favorite in the semifinals and an epic five-set match in the finals loss to Federer. By the way, it’s hard to believe that last year’s final could have been topped so soon.

Roddick showed nothing but resolve in making Federer work harder than ever to win his record 15th major singles title. His will could have been broken after he nearly broke Federer in the final set, leading 15-40, only to lose the point. He came back and held serve.

Perhaps Roddick is following in the footsteps of Andre Agassi, who underwent his own revival at age 27 (which Roddick turns next month). Agassi won five major titles after this rebirth. Like Agassi, Roddick changed himself in the hopes of regaining his stature in a sport that is unkind to aging players. Like Agassi, Roddick is showing more graciousness as he ages.

He also lost weight, he changed coaches (Larry Stefanki) and allowed him to implement changes in his training and his game. The result has been a more consistent year, with Roddick having lost just once to a player outside the top 10 and having reached the quarterfinals in every tournament but the French Open.

If Roddick has truly returned to the elite, he must prove it by winning another major. Otherwise his epithet will include mention of supreme talent and lackluster results.

He did not accomplish that Sunday. But it’s hard to say that he lost.