The Swiss player has checked into a hotel in Beijing because he claimed he was not able to prepare properly because he kept being stopped for autographs and photographs.

 

But Murray, who won the Cincinnati Masters on Sunday, said after his arrival with brother Jamie, who he will playd doubles with, that he wants to stay in the Village.

 

The brothers also took part in the opening ceremony in the Bird's Nest tonight.

 

The 21-year-old Scot said: "We came to play in the Olympics and be part of that whole experience.

"We want to walk out with all the other British athletes, as an athlete it's probably one of the best experiences you can have.

"The Olympic Village experience has been good.

 

"It's completely different to anything I'm used to.

 

"When you go into the dining room it's like being at a massive school it's so big.

"I think you've got to try and get involved with all the athletes.

 

"If you go and stay in a hotel it'd be more like playing in a tennis tournament, whereas I think the Olympics is a bit bigger than that."

Older brother Jamie has equally enjoyed linking up with Team GB, and is delighted by the domestic arrangements at the Olympic Village.

He said: Andy and I are sharing an apartment.

 

"But I don't think I could handle sharing a room with him.

 

"We've got separate rooms, thankfully."

There have been suggestions in some quarters that tennis should not be an Olympic sport, but Andy Murray was quick to refute those claims.  

 

He said: "You look at the field that are here.

 

"If there was a stage where five, six, seven of the top players weren't competing then you could say it's obviously not too important.

 

"But as of now, within the sport, the gold medal is huge.

"Federer is one of the greatest players of all time and he obviously is desperate to win a gold medal.

 

"If it wasn't such a big deal to the players then the top guys wouldn't be here.

 

"It's clearly very important to us, that's why we're here.

"Federer's won 12 Grand Slams, for me to win any Grand Slam would be huge and it's the same for the Olympics.

"A gold medal in the Olympic Games is something that is a big deal for everybody."