Moscow will host the Beach Tennis World Team Championship for a fifth time in July ©RTF

This year's Beach Tennis World Team Championship will be held between July 12 and 17 in Moscow, it has been announced.

The event, a mixed competition comprising of two men and two women, will be held at Russia's National Tennis Centre for a fifth year. 

It will be organised jointly by the International Tennis Federation and Russian Tennis Federation (RTF) and consist of a men's doubles, women's doubles and mixed doubles match. 

Last year’s event saw 28 countries compete for the title, with Italy pushed all the way against hosts and first-time finalists Russia before coming out on top after a closely fought decisive mixed match.

As a result, Italy became the first nation to successfully defend the title and brought its own tally of World Championship titles to three.

Russia finished runners-up in last year's Beach Tennis World Team Championship in Moscow after reaching the final for the first time, where they were beaten by Italy ©ITF
Russia finished runners-up in last year's Beach Tennis World Team Championship in Moscow after reaching the final for the first time, where they were beaten by Italy ©ITF

Originally a three-day event, the World Team Championship has attracted additional interest from countries each year.

This year will see a six-day event after the RTF once again agreed to a one-day extension to accommodate a further increase in teams

The 2016 event is not only expected to see an increase in nations, but will also see the return of the junior team competition.

Launched in 2015, the under-14 competition is aimed at helping develop younger players. 

The Italians consolidated their reputation as the leading beach tennis nation with victory in the junior event.