Andy Murray placed third in BBC Sports Personality 2012

The best year of Andy Murray's tennis-playing career to date was recognised by the British public as the Olympic and US Open champion placed third in the 2012 BBC Sports Personality of the year awards.. 

The British No.1, who joined the BBC audience live from his training camp in Miami, is the first tennis player to take home a SPOTY trophy since Greg Rusedski and Tim Henman placed first and second in 1997. 

Prior to Henman and Rusedski's triumphs, Angela Mortimer came third in the awards in 1961, Ann Jones won the award in 1969, Roger Taylor came second in 1973, and Virginia Wade won the award in 1977. 

Murray, who has been nominated among the top 10 before without success, came third ahead of athlete Mo Farah by 100,000 votes, receiving 230,444 votes, 14.17 per cent of the 1.6 million total. Cyclist Bradley Wiggins won the award with just shy of half a million votes, while heptathlete Jessica Ennis came second with 372,765.

"Congratulations Bradley Wiggins on winning, what a truly amazing year for British sport. Congratulations to everyone involved, there were so many deserving cases for the award. It was an honour being part of it all," Murray posted on his Facebook page.

"Apologies I wasn't there this evening, I am currently working hard out in Miami in my off-season to make sure I give myself the best possible chance to win more slams. Thank you again to anyone that voted for me, here's to a successful 2013!"

Murray received his third place award, the famous BBC camera trophy, from 1999 award-winner Lennox Lewis, in somewhat hilarious fashion. 

Murray has been completing his usual off season training block in Miami under the watchful eye of Ivan Lendl and the rest of Team Murray, before returning home for Christmas. His first event of 2013 will be the Mubadala World Tennis Championships in Abu Dhabi, an exhibition event, before travelling to Brisbane to defend his title, and then on to Melbourne for the Australian Open.