Slam drought continues to haunt Murray

“After Wimbledon,like four days after Wimbledon,I dreamt I won Wimbledon,” Murray said. “I woke up in the morning and I was just starting to feel better. That didn’t help. Then a few days after the Olympics,I dreamt that I lost in the final of the Olympics. Obviously waking up remembering that I had won was nice.”

Asked if he had dreamt about the US Open yet,Murray replied: “Not yet,not yet. But I’ll keep you posted.”

The third seed from Scotland is desperate to carry the momentum from his Olympic triumph through with a major victory in New York.

His plans include staying in a hotel away from the hustle and bustle of Manhattan — and steering clear of Flushing Meadows whenever possible.

“Staying in a quieter hotel this time and trying to make sure I don’t spent too much time around the courts,” he said. “I have stayed in a lot of different hotels in the seven or so years I have been playing here and I just decided to go for something a bit different,” he said.

“A lot of the slams I have tried to stay somewhere quieter because that’s what I like. When I have played well at Wimbledon I have stayed at home and it’s normally fairly quiet where I live. I like that.”

Serena’s crip-tic reply

Meanwhile,Serena Williams,who was hailed as the greatest women’s tennis player ever on Saturday,reacted angrily to criticism of her exuberant Olympic celebrations. Williams was testy with reporters,agitated by repeated references to her post-match dance in London. She claimed to be unaware of negative comments about the so-called Crip Walk she performed after winning the gold medal at the Games.

“I read zero press,” Williams said. “That has been my policy since I was 17. I don’t know what was made too much of or whether it was too little. I think winning the Olympics was awesome for me and for the USA. I’m still kind of in the Olympic moment. I love the Olympics. I was just so proud of the final tally of gold medals that I contributed to. It was really awesome.” The Crip Walk is a hip-hop dance made famous by Crip gang members in Compton,California,in the 1970s.

“First of all,it was just a dance,” she said. “I didn’t know that’s what it was called. Second,why are you asking me that? Like that’s so — I mean,if anything you should be trying to ask me questions to lift me up,not bring up such things. I’m done with that question.”

Earlier Saturday,three-time champion Kim Clijsters said Williams is the best player of all-time. “To me Serena is the best ever just because I think physically,she just stands out,” Clijsters said. “When she’s in good shape I think she just stands out tremendously. She’s fast,she’s strong,she has a very good eye. The combination of that is — I mean,what we have seen over the last few months is the best player ever.”