By Gary Anderson

November 27 - Some of Britain's top wheelchair tennis players at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre celebrating one year to go until the NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters ©Tennis FoundationLondon 2012 medallists Andy Lapthorne and Lucy Shuker were on hand at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park today to mark the one-year countdown to the 2014 NEC Wheelchair Tennis Masters.

The International Tennis Federation's (ITF) year-end championship will be held at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre on the Park from November 24 to 30 next year, and it is the first of three end-of-season events to be staged at the venue until 2016.

Lapthorne, who took mixed quad doubles silver at last summer's Paralympics, and women's doubles bronze medallist Shuker will be hoping to be among the elite field - the top eight men and top eight women plus four quad players in the wheelchair world rankings - that will feature in the tournament.

"We're delighted to welcome these top Paralympic athletes to Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre to experience our world class indoor tennis hall," said Lee Valley Regional Park Authority chief executive Shaun Dawson.

"We're excited to be hosting the NEC Wheelchair Masters event for three consecutive years when the public will have the opportunity to see the world's best in action once again and relive the excitement of London 2012.

"The Masters will be one of many major tournaments taking place at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre and we hope that events like these will continue to inspire a new generation to participate in sport."

Lucy Shuker will be hoping to repeat her performance at London 2012, where she won a bronze medal, at next year's Masters tournament ©Getty ImagesLucy Shuker will be hoping to repeat her performance at London 2012, where she won a bronze medal, at next year's Masters tournament ©Getty Images

























Fresh from his men's double victory with partner Stéphane Houdet at the Masters event in California earlier this month, Gordon Reid will also be looking to be one of the stars in 2014.

The Scot joined his fellow Paralympians at the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre, which will be opened to the public in May 2014, and was impressed with what he saw.

"It was fantastic to see the impressive new facilities at Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre and the venue brought back a lot of happy memories from when I competed at the Games," said Reid.

"I'm really happy that the local community are going to be able to play tennis here as well as elite players and hopefully we might find some stars for the future from here in east London."

Gordon Reid has rounded off an impressive year with a doubles victory at the Masters in California earlier this month © Getty Images Gordon Reid has rounded off an impressive year with a doubles victory at the Masters in California earlier this month ©Getty Images

























In all Britain will host a record nine wheelchair tennis tour events, including the Masters, in 2014, ranging from ITF Future Series events right up to the Wimbledon Grand Slam tournament in July.

"I think one of the real legacies from London 2012 has been the increase in the number of disabled people playing tennis across the country and to have a fantastic venue like this on the site of where it all happened is very exciting," said executive director of the Tennis Foundation, Geoff Newton.

"The Centre will be a hub for the local community to come and have fun playing tennis with their friends and family, whatever their ability."

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