Olympic Progress Won't Hamper Us Open Prospects, Says Murray

Andy Murray has dismissed suggestions from his mother that a successful Olympics may impinge on his chances of winning his first grand slam at the US Open. Murray, who is also playing in the men's doubles with his brother Jamie, believes that he can do well in both tournaments - despite the US Open starting just a week after the Olympic men's final.

"I think she's wrong," he said. "Obviously it makes it harder, but there is three weeks between the two finals and we will have at least two weeks off in that time because we only play every second day."

However Murray, who is now ranked No6 in the world, did concede that the intense humidity in Beijing and the possibility of playing both singles and doubles on the same day would be draining. "Playing in the heat and humidity is tough," he said. "Cincinnati last week was hotter than it is here but the humidity is really tough. You're sweating so much.

"If I do well in both events I will definitely have to play singles and doubles on the same day. Obviously it makes it harder but it's a great opportunity for me to play with my brother."

Murray says he is confident about getting past his first-round opponent, Chinese Taipei's Lu Yen-Hsu, but is not looking too far ahead at a draw which could see him play Rafael Nadal in the quarters, Novak Djovovic in the semis and Roger Federer in the finals.

"I saw Lu a lot when I was moving through the rankings," he said. "He's been ranked around 90-150 for the last few years so I obviously played quite a few tournaments with him during the challengers. He's tough. He's used to these conditions and he's pretty solid from the baseline but if I play well I should win.

"I'm taking each match as it comes, but if I can get to the third round or quarters then who knows what might happen?"

Murray also admitted that, unlike some other big name players - including Roger Federer - he is happy to stay in the Olympic village rather than a hotel. "You've got to try and get involved with the other athletes," he said. "If you stay in a hotel it's more like playing in a normal tennis tournament.

"It's obviously completely different to what I'm used to. When you go to the dining room it's like being back at a massive school. So many people in there, and it's so long. It's just a completely different experience. There's been a few autograph requests from other athletes but it's not been stressful at all."

But Murray was honest enough to admit that an Olympic medal, while important, is lower on his list of priorities than winning a slam.

"To win any grand slam would be huge and the same with the Olympics," he said. "A gold medal in the Olympics is something, if you look at overall sports, is a big deal for everybody. But within tennis circles winning Wimbledon or the US Open would be bigger."