Rafael Nadal to sit out Spain's Davis Cup tie against Croatia

Beaten Australian Open finalist Rafael Nadal will sit out Spain's Davis Cup tie against Croatia this weekend due to fatigue.

The 30-year-old has returned to fitness and form this year and enjoyed a brilliant run in Melbourne, before losing in five sets to old rival Roger Federer in a classic final on Sunday.

And Spain's Davis Cup captain Conchita Martinez said on Monday: "Rafa's wear and tear in the last month has been very significant.

"He needs time to recover from his efforts and I'm certain that he will accompany us in the next rounds."

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Feliciano Lopez has therefore been called into the Spain squad for the tie in Osijek against last year's runners-up.

Lopez joins Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreno Busta and Marc Lopez in the squad for the tie, which gets underway on Friday.

Spain have won the Davis Cup on five occasions and have returned to the World Group after a two-year absence.

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