Same result but different feeling

So the newspaper headlines will read 'Murray fails again!' and 'The wait goes on!' regarding Andy Murray failure to win the Australian Open. But to all people involved in and around the game it seems that Britain's number one has moved up a gear in not only his play but in the way he handles himself both psychological and emotionally. Despite this improvement it did seem to be cost him as he failed to convert crucial break points in the penultimate game of the match, but did we see him fight this hard in the final against Djokovic last year? Or have we seen him push any of the big three so hard when his opponent is playing at the top of his game? The answer is no to both, but whether he can go one step further is still under questioning, but that could end this year.

Other than the top four players in the world it seems unlikely that any other this year's major titles will go elsewhere barring injuries or a significant drop or rise in form. You can almost write off the French Open as Rafael Nadal's to lose, barring injury which would then open it up to any of the other big name players. But Wimbledon, with home advantage and on grass, could lead to Murray winning his first Grand Slam this summer in Britain or if he does fail he may return a month or so later to try and win Olympic gold in SW19. But what may seem more likely is the US Open in September which has always been Murray's favourite slam, this would also come after a season worth of coaching and advice from new coach Ivan Lendl. His advice could be crucial in breaking down two of the greatest players of all times and another who comprehensively beat them both on many occasions last season.

Murray's improvement is noticeable but still not quite enough.

Murray may well have been the sole survivor into the second round despite the initial positivity of having a record number of players, male or female, into the first round for 20 years. But the signs for British tennis are improving, with Liam Broady and Joshua Ward-Hibbert winning the Boys Doubles title earlier in the day, along with the continual rise of Britain's Davis and Fed cup teams after a particularly dark period.

Britain's challenge to continue to rise through the tennis rankings, led by Murray, could culminate in grand slam glory, whether he does it this year is another matter but I believe that some point this year you will see headlines 'The wait is over for British tennis!'.



2012: Biggest British sporting year this century

So we're two weeks into the New Year and while most people have probably already broken their new year's resolution, Great Britain and its athletes are continuing their preparations for the biggest sporting year this century.
The highlight obviously is the Olympics in London this summer, but starting in a few days is the Australian open, in what could be Britain's first success of 2012. Andy Murray continues his quest of grand slam glory, joined by James Ward in the mens draw and four Britons in the ladies draw. The most amount of Brits in a grand slam first round for 20 years. This number was boosted by the success through the qualifying rounds of Ward and Laura Robson. It will take the same grit and determination from all other five British players to get through the first round and beyond. Whereas Murray will see this tournament as the best chance to break his grand slam duck, having won the Brisbane warm up event as well as linking up with new coach Ivan Lendl. The experience of having a former player who has lost Grand slam finals but come back to be successful and win grand slams could be vital to his progression as a player. Having failed (winning a grand slam) and succeeded (reaching at least the Semi's in each grand slam) last season, Murray can be confident heading into this season having reached the final in Melbourne the last two years, as well as winning a warm up tournament in Brisbane in a year. This career defining year also brings the potential of winning an Olympic gold medal on home soil, a Wimbledon title or a gold medal would surely bring all the negative comments about Murrays popularity to an end.

However if the dominance continues from Djokovic, Nadal and Federer it will be as tough as ever with young talents such as Milos Raonic and Bernard Tomic coming through along with players coming back from injury including Juan Martin Del Potro (who does have that elusive grand slam title under his belt). I myself for the first time feel confident that Murray will break his own and Britain's duck this season and wouldn't be surprised if it happened this month down under (cue a first round shock exit).

Whatever 2012 brings for Murray there is sure to be plenty of British success both on and off the sporting field, in what promises to be the most exciting sporting year in most of our lifetimes. I haven't even mentioned Euro 2012 either!

Lendl's past experience of coming back from grand slam defeats could be vital