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Roddick withdraws from Shanghai

09/11/2005

Andy Roddick has today added his name to the list of stars who have been forced to pull out of next week's Masters Cup in Shanghai.

The American world number three has been struggling with a lower back problem but was expected to be fit in time for Sunday's start to the elite season-ending event.

However a statement from Roddick revealed that he has failed in his bid and he now joins Australian Open champion Marat Safin, who has a knee injury, and Australian Lleyton Hewitt, who has left to be with his pregnant wife, as absentees.

"Though I have tried to continue with practice, the lower back spasms continue," Roddick said.

"After being evaluated by medical staff upon my return to the United States, it is now clear that I am not able to resume tennis activities for ten to 14 days."

He added: "I apologise to the loyal fans and sponsors that have expected my participation in tennis Masters Cup. It is an honour for me to have qualified for this event for the third-straight year."

Roddick's place in the eight-man field will now go to Argentine David Nalbandian, who joins Ivan Ljubicic and Gaston Gaudio as late call-ups.

World number one Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andre Agassi, Guillermo Coria and Nikolay Davydenko complete the line-up.

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