Murray battles Peter Crouch on the padel court

Former professional footballer Peter Crouch was outstanding on the pitch, but the 6'7" Brit had an early love for tennis. So much so that the 39-year-old believed he could have been the best British player in history.

Crouch put his abilities to the test by taking the court against three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray last weekend as a part of a special BBC Children in Need stunt.

"I love being a footballer don't get me wrong, but I just feel like if I would have stayed with tennis I could have Britain's best ever player," Crouch told the BBC."But let's face it, it isn't really that hard is it? I mean look at Tim Henman."

Crouch decided to put his money where his mouth is, yet instead of battling it out on a tennis court they played best of three games on a padel ball court.

"Don't worry it's perfect for beginners," Murray told Crouch, who was a bit frustrated by the sudden switch.

The padel tennis match wasn't just for fun: a lot was at stake for the two competitors, including a phone call to Murray's mom by the young chair umpire if he didn't play clean. But more than that, the player on the losing end would be forced to wear an embarrassing shirt stating that the winner is better than them at everything.

Murray quickly won a spotless first game and Crouch would call for a timeout to call Henman for help.

"I wanted to know if you had the numbers of anyone decent who fancies it? Federer, Nadal, I'd even take Greg Rusedski," Crouch said to Henman.

Henman offered to come be his partner, but Crouch didn't want that. The former world No. 4 did offer some advice that Crouch could get behind.

"Look Crouchy, in all honesty, there's only one way you can beat him and that's cheat," Henman said.

Crouch pronounced Murray's name wrong on purpose before returning serve and kicked a soccer ball at him just before he started his service motion. Murray would become more and more flustered as Crouch pulled out all the tricks and even placed a sofa mid-court. He proceeded to lay on it while reading a book titled, "Who even is Andy Murray?"

Crouch would reach match point first but get called for a foot fault. He launched a ball in anger, causing him to be disqualified. The two would continue bickering while the young chair umpire picked up her phone to call Murray's mother Judy.

"Hello Judy, can you come pick him up please, it's all become very childish," the little girl said.

Although Murray snuck out the last-minute win in a dramatic affair, the theatrics were all for a good cause to raise awareness for Children in Need, the BBC's corporate charity.