Sir Sean said young sports stars need more help to achieve success

The former James Bond actor spoke out after watching teenage tennis ace Andy Murray lose in a five-set thriller on Wimbledon's Centre Court.

Sir Sean said the 18-year-old from Dunblane was not receiving the backing needed to become a champion.

He said the match was "an emotional trip" but pointed out Murray is not yet fit enough for the men's game.

Speaking on BBC Radio Five Live, Sir Sean highlighted the case of Scottish squash champion Peter Nicol who plays for England, he said, owing to financial reasons.

"The way they help people, certainly from Scotland, is zilch in the UK," Sir Sean said.

What was evident was that Andy is not fit enough to stand up to the ritual Sir Sean Connery

"We lost Peter Nicol, who now plays for England at squash. He is now a world champion and he's Scottish.

"Why? Because he wasn't funded. Now Andrew isn't funded so much and he's in Barcelona."

Sir Sean, who joined in the Mexican waves from his seat in the Centre Court Royal box, described Murray's performance as inspiring and "a great emotional trip".

'Fantastic tennis'

He added: "It was an absolutely extraordinary match and I have to say that Andrew Murray is as gifted as anybody who's ever played the game.

"But what was evident was that he is not fit enough to stand up to the ritual.

Andy Murray wowed the crowds on his Centre Court debut

"The boy here has played fantastic tennis, I don't think I've seen anything like it, he's won three straight sets, was two up on Nalbandian, who was a Wimbledon finalist."

Murray, who suffered cramp after racing into a commanding lead against David Nalbandian, said he felt as though he belonged on the Wimbledon stage.

Sir Sean added: "I hope the tennis people get off their a**** and do something about it and not hold it against him that he comes from Scotland.

"If nobody is going to make the move in Westminster then it's certainly not going to happen with the Scottish Executive in Scotland, because that's exactly what happened to Peter Nicol.

"Now, somebody has to get their a*** off the ground and help him."