The Wheelchair Tennis Masters has been re-located to Loughborough ©Getty Images

This year's edition of the Wheelchair Tennis Masters will take place at Loughborough University after three years at London's Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Organisers the Tennis Foundation have opted to move the event from the capital to England's East Midlands - with competition due to take place at the university's Indoor Tennis Centre.

The tournament is guaranteed to feature an elite field as only the top eight ranked men and women, and the top six quad players, are invited to compete.

The Tennis Foundation, a leading charity, believe they can raise the profile of tennis as a sport for disabled people and drive wider participation by holding the event in Loughborough.

"The International Tennis Federation (ITF) is delighted that the 2017 NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters will be moving to a new home in Loughborough for 2017, with Loughborough University renowned for its world class sporting tradition," said ITF President David Haggerty.

"The region has a long history of hosting world class wheelchair tennis events staged by the Tennis Foundation, including the British Open Super Series and three editions of the World Team Cup, the ITF's flagship wheelchair tennis team event."

The Masters was first held in Eindhoven in The Netherlands in 1994 with the Loughborough tournament set to be the 24th staging.

The Wheelchair Tennis Masters only invites the top players in the rankings ©Getty Images
The Wheelchair Tennis Masters only invites the top players in the rankings ©Getty Images

Competition will take place between November 29 and December 3 at the season-ending event.

Loughborough University's tennis programme director Helen Reesby said: "We are delighted to be hosting the 2017 NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters for the first time here at Loughborough University. 

"This is an inspirational and prestigious event and we are looking forward to welcoming the best players in the world, and their coaching teams, onto campus for what promises to be a fantastic five days of tennis."

Belgium's Joachim Gérard won last year's men's title in London, with Dutchwoman Jiske Griffioen winning the women's prize and American David Wagner clinching quads honours.

Before London, the event was held in Mission Viejo in California for a year after two seasons in Mechelen in Belgium.

Amsterdam and Amersfoort in The Netherlands both staged the event after the first six years in Eindhoven.