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