Andy Murray has been accused by the leader of Scotland’s main head teachers’ union of setting a bad example to children by swearing and losing his temper on court.

Ken Cunningham, general secretary of School Leaders Scotland, said the Dunblane-born tennis star should show more respect for officials and curb his volatile behaviour.

Murray, whose appearance in the US Open final in New York last week propelled him to No 4 in the world, was seen by millions of tennis fans mouthing expletives as he was beaten in straight sets by Roger Federer.

In May this year he was heard swearing during a match with Juan Martin del Potro, after the Argentinian insulted his mother, and the following month was reprimanded for his language during a last-16 tie at Wimbledon.

In 2006, the British Davis Cup team was fined £1,434 after Murray swore at an umpire during a doubles match and he let rip with another outburst at Wimbledon later that year.

“If he continues like that, somebody needs to have a word with him,” said Cunningham. “All that goes into making him great goes alongside the other bits and pieces, and there’s another bit of his life that he needs to sort out.

“He is a very successful role model in terms of success, but you have to put it in context. It’s not just about being successful, it’s about being successful and positive in terms of your contribution to society.”

Last week The Sunday Times revealed that Sir Bill Gammell, the former Scotland rugby international and one of the country’s richest entrepreneurs, hopes to use sports stars such as Murray and Chris Hoy, the triple gold-medal-winning cyclist, in teaching programmes designed to promote a winning mentality at school.

Cunningham, the former head teacher at Hillhead High in Glasgow, said he hoped pupils would challenge Murray about his behaviour and ask him to explain himself.

“I think the answer to it is getting youngsters to question him and challenge him face to face,” he said. “If you get a kid turning round to Andy and saying, ‘See the way you behaved in that final, do you think that was appropriate?’ then Andy would have to answer to the next generation.

“It would be wonderful for him because he would get a real sense of what people think about that behaviour and would see that what he does is going to be reflected in young people’s behaviour. It would help him understand that he is a role model.”

In his autobiography, Hitting Back, Murray said swearing is a way for him to let off steam, but admitted he was trying to control his outbursts.

“I do swear sometimes towards my box,” he said. “If you’re getting mad, you’re getting pretty uncomfortable and all I’m basically doing is looking for a bit of comfort from them. I know swearing isn’t the right thing to do and I have tried to stop it, but I’m never going to be on court not saying a word. Sometimes you need to let off steam.”

Tom Lucas, a leading sports psychologist, defended Murray’s behaviour.

“He’s not perfect, but most of his outbursts are directed against himself for missing a shot or getting his tactics wrong,” he said. “He rarely has a go at the opposing player or the umpire.”

Murray’s spokesman refused to comment.

Times Recommends

• Donor organ allowed child’s own heart to heal
• Michael Jackson: Not the final chapter
• Brüno toned down for 15 rating