The former prime minister and Sedgefield MP exchanged volleys with the sportsman at the Sunderland Tennis Centre in Tyne and Wear.

The pair were in the area to watch the final of the Tony Blair Foundation Challenge Cup – a tennis competition between 350 local schools – and present prizes to children who took part.

The foundation was set up two years ago to help local children gain access to different sports by providing coaching in the region.

Speaking after the awards ceremony, Mr Blair said: "I am incredibly proud of the progress we have made at the Foundation, but it won't stop here. With 2012 less than three years away, we need to use the inspiration and motivation of the Olympics to increase the range of opportunities available in the North East.

"I am convinced that sport is the best social policy, the best health policy and the best anti-crime policy for young people. It is a great way to teach young people life skills.

"It is great to be back in the North East and it is great to see so many young people taking part in a competition."

Mr Blair then played a gentle round of tennis with Rusedski, who jokingly asked the former PM to "take it easy on me, I'm retired".

Rusedski, who has previously worked with the Tony Blair Sports Foundation, said it was "brilliant" to see the children enjoying his sport.

"This is a fantastic opportunity for hundreds of kids in the North East to play tennis, access quality coaching and take part in fun competitions.

"That's the key to developing more stars of the future and it's been great to see so many youngsters inspired," he said.