IN BRIEF

TENNIS

Nadal, Roddick seek shorter ATP season

Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick complained Tuesday that the ATP season is too long and that tennis players need a proper offseason.

Both players, who are in China this week for the Shanghai Masters, reiterated criticism of the sport's punishing schedule.

"It's impossible to play 1st of January and finish 5th of December," said the 23-year-old Nadal, who did not defend his title at Wimbledon because of a knee injury. "It's impossible to be here playing like what I did the last five years, playing a lot of matches and being all the time 100 percent without problems."

Roddick, a veteran at 27, said players need a longer offseason to recover, and noted that top-ranked Roger Federer (fatigue) and third ranked Andy Murray (wrist injury) are skipping the Shanghai tournament.

"It's ridiculous to think that you have a professional sport that doesn't have a legitimate offseason to rest, get healthy, and then train," Roddick said. "I just feel sooner or later that common sense has to prevail."

The top players on the men's tour are required to play at eight of the nine Master Series events -- with Monte Carlo being the exception. And the top eight players of the year also have an extra week by qualifying for next month's season-ending tournament in London.

UNLV

Soccer player Sifuentes nets conference honor

UNLV men's soccer player Stephen Sifuentes was named Mountain Pacific Sports Federation co-player of the week, the first time the junior forward has earned the honor.

Sifuentes had two goals in the Rebels' 4-2 home win over Houston Baptist on Sunday. He has five goals for the season.

Also: The UNLV men's golf team and the rest of the 12-team field had the first day of play rained out at the Jerry Pate National Intercollegiate in Vestavia Hills, Ala.

Two rounds were set for Monday. Instead, the event was shortened to 18 holes, to be contested today.

MISCELLANEOUS

Mine That Bird eyes Breeders' Cup Classic

Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird will remain at Santa Anita and point to the Breeders' Cup Classic on Nov. 7.

Trainer Chip Woolley Jr. said he and the gelding's owners were disappointed with Mine That Bird's sixth-place finish in the Goodwood Stakes on Saturday. But they've decided to try the $5 million Classic, and Calvin Borel will remain as Mine That Bird's rider for the event in Arcadia, Calif.

Also: Gymnast Fabian Hambuechen, one of the sport's most popular athletes and a favorite for the men's all-around title, will miss this week's gymnastics world championships in London after rupturing a ligament in his left foot during training Sunday.

But the German said he doesn't need surgery and will be able to resume full training in about six weeks.

AC Milan CEO Adriano Galliani said it's likely David Beckham will join the club on loan from the Los Angeles Galaxy again in January.

Tim Leiweke, the chief executive of Anschutz Entertainment Group, which owns the Galaxy, said last week he wants the deal for Beckham's return to Milan to be completed within two weeks.

Former NHL star Chris Chelios skated with the minor league Chicago Wolves and said he will probably sign a contract with the team this week.

The 47-year-old Chelios said he wants to help his chances of "getting back in the NHL someday."