Like his loss in the Shanghai final to Andy Murray, I don't think Roger Federer's win over Florian Mayer in the Stockholm final means too much in terms of form. Considering how much tennis he's played this season, Federer is still performing at a very high level. Sure, a loss would have been surprising, but I would have hardly deemed it significant.
I do think, though, that winning Stockholm was important to Federer on another level. He was supposed to play this event in 2008, but backed out because of illness. So he made it a point to go there this season, even after a long week in China. Credit this decision to Federer's ambassadorial nature. He's long recognized his standing in the game, and probably didn't want to have that omission as a blotch—albeit a very small one—on his permanent record. Plus, the tournament is now run by Thomas Johansson and Jonas Bjorkman, two of Federer's contemporaries from his early years on tour. As Federer walked toward the winner's circle, he saluted all the dignitaries. When he came to Johansson and Bjorkman, he greeted them with the familiar hand clasp that is de rigueur in men's tennis.
Also, I've heard whispers that Federer wants to acquire a stake in his hometown tournament, Basel. I could envision that happening after his playing days are over. Without himself as the drawing card, Federer would need to get some big names to play in his relatively minor fall event. Which is exactly what Federer did this week in Sweden.
I could be reading too much into it, but everyone seemed pretty happy when it was all over. Mayer had one of the best weeks of his career. Johansson and Bjorkman landed the king fish, and he put on a show—in the second set, Federer was moving Mayer around the court like a puppet. And Federer won his 64th career title, tying him with Pete Sampras for fourth on the all-time list. The next step on the ladder is John McEnroe, who has 77. Will Federer pass him? I don't think it's a clear-cut answer. Vote on the homepage poll, and explain your decision here.
—Ed McGrogan