Roddick blasts tour calendar

SHANGHAI: An exasperated Andy Roddick said the ATP men's tour must give players more time to rest during the season or risk shortening the careers of the "stars" of the sport.

The world No 6 lost to qualifier Lukasz Kubot in the first match of his title defense at the China Open last week and said then that the top players were playing too much tennis.

He renewed his attack at the Shanghai Masters yesterday while admitting the ultimate negotiating tool, a players' strike, was unlikely.