'He was special and many people were fond of him. It was tragic what happened'

A young tennis player who died last year is to have a tournament held in his name.

Murray Stewart was 22 when he lost his battle with cancer.

The Western tennis club in Hyndland where he was a member will stage this year's club championships in his honour.

Murray Stewart was 22 when he died last year.

Murray's family will donate a Murray Stewart memorial trophy for the winners of the men's doubles competition.

And a fundraiser has been launched and money generated by the event will go to the Teenage Cancer Trust.

The trust has an eight-bed unit at the Beatson cancer centre at Gartnavel Hospital where Murray was treated.

Western coach Ian Campbell said Murray was an "exceptional young man" who is deeply missed.

Ian said: “Murray was at the club from around the age of ten.

'America'

“I coached him when he was young - he was one of the best players in Scotland for his age.

“He was hoping to play tennis in America.

“He had a skiing accident and they gave him a CT scan - which is when they found out there was a tumour.

“He had three exploratory brain operations. They thought it was benign and he had a form of chemotherapy to reduce the size of the tumour.

“Tragically, it did grow again and in spring time last year it became clear he wasn’t going to make it to the end of the year."

Murray had been hoping to play tennis in America.

More than 800 people attended a service at the chapel at Glasgow University.

The hall was so packed the service had to be relayed to people outside.

Ian said: “Murray was a special guy and so many people were fond of him.

“It was tragic that he went at such an age.

"He was an exceptional young man and he was such a popular guy.

'Buddy system'

"The Teenage Cancer Trust said he was quite exceptional the way he kept looking after other people.

“He came up with a buddy system when he was there for the Teenage Cancer Trust.

“It was Murray’s idea that when anyone new came in he would look after them.”

Qualifying matches for the tournament will be played out at various levels from July 13.

Finals day will be on Saturday August 15 and will be staged with restrictions in place.

The Teenage Cancer Trust said Murray was quite exceptional.

All entry fees will go towards the fundraising effort.

The event is being sponsored by Currie & Quirk Opticians and BMF Properties.

Murray's brother, Hamish Stewart, is a top young Scottish tennis player and currently in the US,

Ian said: “There is a good chance that Hamish will be at the Western on the day.

“He should win the singles but he will also play with Ewan, the oldest brother, in the doubles.

“And there is a good chance that they could get to the final of the doubles - Murray's two brothers.

“And if they were to win it, that would be fantastic.

“Even if they could be there on finals day would be great."

* A page has been set up for anyone who would like to donate to the Teenage Cancer Trust here.