Robson won silver at the Olympics in London with her partner Andy Murray in the mix doubles tournament and also reached the fourth round of the US Open.
Robson became the first British player to reach a WTA tour final in 22 years when she lost the Guangzhou decider to Su-Wei Hsieh in September.
"I looked at the list of past winners and it's certainly a very impressive line-up that includes many of my idols growing up," added Robson.
"I hope that I can go on to achieve close to what many of the past winners have achieved in their careers."
Robson began 2012 ranked 131 in the world but has soon climbed to rank 53, four ranks below fellow British player Heather Watson who was also in the running for the prize.