January 2012 started well for Andy Murray. He began the season by making his debut appearance in the Brisbane International and, listed as top seed, took the title by beating Alexandr Dolgopolov in the final. Was this a sign of things to come? Next up was the Australian Open. If Andy was to win his first major he would have to overcome the new World Number 1, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and former number one, Roger Federer. Djokovic went into the Aussie Open as reigning champion. However, Murray was boosted by the addition of 10 times Open champion and former World Number 1 Ivan Lendl to his coaching staff. Like Murray, Lendl was a natural talent but major tournaments eluded him in his early career. It wasn't until he was at the relatively mature age of 24 that he won his first Grand Slam, the French Open. It was hoped that his experience would help Andy to his first major title in an era dominated by such greats as Djokovic, Federer and Nadal. It was a big ask! After racing through the early rounds Murray was to meet Djokovic in what was to prove an enthralling and exhausting semi-final clash. Lasting an energy sapping four hours and 50 minutes, the match swung to and fro before Djokovic finally overcame the brave Scot to win 6-3, 3-6, 6-7, 6-1, 7-5. It was devastating for Murray who had played so well but it did show that he had the mental as well as physical strength to compete with the world's best players in a major final. It was to set him in good stead for the rest of the year. Remarkably, despite the gruelling semi-final win over Murray, Nole went on to beat Nadal in what turned out to be the longest match in Australian Open history, lasting five hours and 53 minutes. It was the 5th Grand Slam of Djokovic's career and the first time he had successfully defended one. It was a brilliant and exciting start to the season and for tennis fans in general and Murray fans in particular, things were only going to get better! Next: doubts over Lendl's role on Murray's mental state and Wimbledon heartbreak.
February - July After the disappointment of the Australian Open, Andy Murray went into the Dubai Tennis Championship where he was looking to win his second tournament of the season. After a couple of easy wins he met Djokovic in the semi-final but this time he got his revenge, beating the World Number one 6-2, 7-5, setting up a final appearance against a resurgent Roger Federer. Sadly for Andy, he came up short, losing in straight sets 7-5, 6-4. Next up was the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, where Murray suffered a shock first round exit to World Number 92, Guillermo Garcia-Lopez. He did reach the final of the Miami Masters where he lost yet again to Novak Djokovic in straight sets, 6-1, 7-6 (7-4). This was followed by quarter-final losses at the Monte Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open, then a third round loss at the Italian Open. Questions were again being asked about Andy Murray's mental strength and, more specifically, the role of Ivan Lendl in his development. Despite his brave semi-final performance against the World Number one in the Australian Open, Murray's hopes of winning a Major seemed as distant as ever. More disappointment was to follow for the Scot in the French Open where, suffering from a back spasm problem, he lost in straight sets to David Ferrer in the quarter-final. Rafael Nadal defeated Djokovic in the final to win his third French Open in a row, his seventh in eight years. It would be the last major tournament the Spaniard would win in 2012, a recurring knee injury forcing him to take time out of the game. Subsequently, he fell to number 4 in the world rankings, the first time he had been out the top two in eight years. Murray went into the Queen's Club Championships as defending champion but disappointingly went out in the first round to World Number 65, Nicolas Mahut. Marin Čilić took the championship after his opponent, David Nalbandian, retired injured in the final. The 24th June saw the start of Wimbledon and Murray, despite his erratic performances throughout the season, was tipped by many to win his first Major. After easily dispatching of Ivo Karlovic, Marcos Baghdatis, Marin Cilic and David Ferrer in the early rounds, Murray faced Jo-Wilfrid Tsonga in the semi-final. It was to be an epic battle which set the record for the latest ever finish at the championships, when Murray completed a four-set victory over his French opponent at 11.02pm. It was the first time a British male had reached a Wimbledon final since Henry "Bunny" Austin in 1938. In the final, the Scot faced the Swiss legend Roger Federer. Despite taking the first set 6-4, Murray made a couple of uncharacteristic errors in the second set which helped Federer draw level and this handed the initiative to the Swiss who went on to claim his seventh Wimbledon title, winning 4-6 7-5 6-3 6-4. Interviewed after the match, Murray broke down in tears saying "Everybody always talks about the pressure of playing at Wimbledon, but it's not the people watching - they make it incredible. There are mixed emotions. Most of them are negative. The reaction from the crowd was great. I felt like I was playing for the nation and I couldn't quite do it." Despite Murray's loss, there seemed to be a new found maturity to his game and his life in general. It was this confidence and maturity that would see him reach new heights during the second half of 2012. Next: the Olympics and the US Open.
The Olympics A month after the disappointment of losing the Wimbledon final, Murray made it all the way to the Olympic singles final. The Scot played some of his best tennis, comfortably beating the likes of Stanislas Wawrinka and Marcos Baghdatis before disposing of Djokovic in the semi-final and setting up a confrontation with his Wimbledon nemesis, Roger Federer. Murray maintained his good form and easily beat the Swede in front of a loud and partisan British crowd. It was the biggest win of his career and saw him climbing into the crowd to embrace his coach, girlfriend and parents in typical Wimbledon fashion. By winning the Olympic gold medal, Murray became the first British man to do so in tennis since Josiah Ritchie in 1908. "It's number one for me - the biggest win of my life," said Murray. "I have had a lot of tough losses in my career and this is the best way to come back from the Wimbledon final." Unfortunately, he was unable to add another gold to his collection later that day when he and Laura Robson lost the mixed doubles final 2-6, 6-3, 10-8 to Victoria Azarenka and Max Mirnyi. Still, a gold and a silver was a good haul and the best was yet to come.
