There can be little consolation for Andy Roddick right now.  A third final defeat to Roger Federer at The Championships will leave a bitter taste as the American came so close to capturing his second Grand Slam championship title.

It was different to his 2004 and 2005 final appearances.  The 5-7, 7-6(6), 7-6(5), 3-6, 16-14 loss on Centre Court Sunday was not only a battle of will, but also skill.

Few had given him a hope two weeks ago at the start of The Championships fortnight, but against Lleyton Hewitt, Andy Murray and Federer the 26 year old proved why he is capable of adding another major title to the US Open title of six years ago.

He should not dwell on the four set points he squandered in the second set tie-break, which would have given him a two-sets-to-love lead over Federer.  Rather he must celebrate his return to top form and build on the fact he has never played as well in his life. 

At the end, the standing ovation given him had never been more justified.  "That was nice," admitted Roddick.  "It showed that they appreciated I guess what we did out there today.  It was definitely a nice and appreciated gesture by them."

It could have been so different.  Twelve months ago, Roddick flew back to Austin, Texas, after celebrating Independence Day only to land in time to watch the Rafael Nadal and Federer Wimbledon final enter the final set.

It hurt him to watch The Championships final and he was on the brink of quitting the sport before Brooklyn Decker, his wife of three months, intervened and inspired him to transform his career.  A soul-searching conversation convinced him things had to change.

“I was probably leaning towards not really playing that well,” Roddick said prior to the final.  “She didn’t know much about tennis - she thought I was playing really great.  Anyway, she thought I looked cute in shorts.  Brook has been a calming influence and someone that I can confide in and not have to put on a super-brave front to.  And you know, she makes the players’ box better-looking.”

Roddick brought in Larry Stefanki, a coach credited for giving John McEnroe a new lease of life towards the end of his career, at the end of the 2008 season.  The pair has since developed a solid relationship and Stefanki has taken credit for inspiring Roddick to lose 15 pounds in weight, and develop a new fitness regimen and diet. 

Roddick has thrown off the moniker of a ‘one-trick pony’ by developing an impressive armoury to back up the most powerful serve the sport has ever seen.  His backhand stands up to pressure and is a threat to the opposition; he has developed a subtle touch and now shrewdly advances to net where he strikes volleys with conviction and confidence. 

"I [take] some satisfaction in December and in November when we started to move forward," said Roddick.  "It was to give yourself an opportunity to win tournaments like this.  I feel like I did give myself that opportunity today.  It didn't work out, but I definitely gave myself a look."

With the North American hard-court swing on the horizon, the great fast-court player now has an opportunity to rebuild his confidence and aim to repeat his Wimbledon performance on one of his favourite surfaces.

At this year’s US Open, Roddick will start as a genuine title contender and a threat to Federer, Nadal, Murray and Novak Djokovic.  New York is just the place for the former World No. 1 to seek redemption.