Despite the fact that the Olympic Games take place right in the middle of the American hard court season and finishes just 8 days before the US Open begins on 25th August, Andy Murray has confirmed that he wants to participate in Beijing.

"I'm definitely going to play at the Olympics," Murray said. "It's something that not all athletes get the chance to do. It's an honour and I look forward to it. I hope I can get a good run this year and not have problems with injury."

The timing of the Olympics have thrown player schedules into confusion, and at least two other top players have expressed their concerns. World No 4 Nikolay Davydenko has indicated that he may drop out of the Olympic reckoning while American Andy Roddick has said that he wants to ensure that he would be in the best shape for the US Open. In the minds of most top players, the lure of a sGrand Slam title is stronger than the thought of a podium finish in Beijing.

However, April's Davis Cup World Group draw in London could throw up another problem for Murray in that his autumn schedule could now take him across three continents in six weeks, starting in the States, flying to East Asia, back to the States for the US Open and then back to Englandif Britian gets a home tie. Murray has indicated that he will represent his country in September, this despite pulling out of the 1st round tie in Argentina back in February, something which angered his brother Jamie. The Murray brothers have since made up, and Andy has said that his absence from the Argentina tie was a one-off.

Meanwhile, back on the Olympics, and Murray is not getting drawn into the controversy surrounding China's human rights record, stating that his role is to play tennis, not to comment on politics. "For me, the Olympics are more about sport. I'm concentrating and looking forward to playing tennis. I'm not a politician," he said.