JUST DAYS after Andy Murray crashed out of the Australian Open, a fellow Perthshire tennis star has revived Scotland’s ailing reputation by clinching a world title.

Incredibly the new hero is more than four times older than Murray and is even a second world war veteran.

George Stewart, Scone, is a sprightly 88—and only started playing competitive tennis at 75. But the widower has taken to the sport like the proverbial duck to water and yesterday said, “I never want to stop playing.”

He has just returned to Perthshire following victory in the over-85s “super seniors” world championships held in New Zealand, where he triumphed in the doubles with partner Gerry Ells.

A grandfather-of-four and former lieutenant colonel, Mr Stewart now competes all over the world and admitted he sees international tournaments as an opportunity to enjoy a holiday as well as taking part in gruelling competition.

The retired forester, who in the war served with the Royal Artillery, crashed out of the singles in the first round but said victory in the doubles more than made up for the disappointment.

“After taking up tennis in my late 50s for health and fitness after a lifetime involved in skiing it is amazing to think I am a world champion,” he said.

“I was very unsuccessful when I started but stuck at it and got better and better.

“There are veterans’ tournaments all over the world, almost every week of the year, and I play a lot, really using the tournaments as an opportunity for travel and holidays as well.”

He enters international competitions around three times a year and insists he has no plans to wind down.

“I never want to stop,” he said. “As long as I feel fit and can compete reasonably well, I’ll go on playing.”

The sporty senior still gets a buzz from participating at the highest possible level. “I still play reasonably well but it is a high standard,” he said.

“This year I went into the singles with no expectations and promptly got knocked off in the first round. But in the doubles Gerry and I made the final and played the number one pair, beating them 6-4 6-4. To win was very pleasing, especially since we beat such worthwhile opponents.”

It was about 20 years after first picking up a racket that he hit upon the idea of entering tournaments.

“I suppose when I got to 75 I realised there were tournaments for veterans and I started to go abroad to play,” he said.

The super-seniors world championships attracted 345 competitors from 24 nations, making victory all the sweeter for Mr Stewart, already looking forward to defending his title.

“The very fact that the championships are run by the International Tennis Federation, whose other responsibility is the Davis Cup, shows they are a big thing,” he said.

“Veterans’ tennis is a very big sport on a world basis, even if it is still to really take off in Britain.”

He plays mainly at Perth’s Kinnoull Tennis Club, normally fitting in three sessions a week.

Jane Morrison, coach at the Kinnoull club, described Mr Stewart as “one of those amazing characters.”

“He took up tennis very, very late,” she said. “However, he is obviously a natural sportsman because he is also a very good skier.

“He has just been so committed. He travels to Stirling to play indoors and he plays several times a week, weather permitting.”

Ms Morrison added that the inspirational pensioner was a great ambassador for the club.

“He is always out and about recruiting new members,” she revealed.