Nadal ready for Davis Cup return

Nadal has not played in the Davis Cup since the semi-final win over USA

World number one Rafael Nadal will make his return from injury when Spain begin the defence of their Davis Cup crown against Serbia in Benidorm on Friday.

Nadal has not played since losing to Andy Murray in the Rotterdam final on 15 February because of a knee injury.

"I feel great and with a great will to keep going on," Nadal told his personal website. "I'm very excited about representing my country."

The 2009 Davis Cup gets under way with eight first-round ties this week.

Champions Spain are without Australian Open semi-finalist, and 2008 Davis Cup hero, Fernando Verdasco because of injury.

606: DEBATE Czech Republic-France is clearly the best 1st round tie. Gizo01

But they remain strong favourites on their favoured surface of clay, despite the presence of world number three Novak Djokovic in the Serbia team.

"Playing against Rafa would be very interesting, he's the world number one and he plays really well in all surfaces," said Djokovic. "But I think we all know that clay is definitely his favourite."

Roger Federer is another name missing from the first round as a back problem has forced him out of Switzerland's testing trip to face the USA in Birmingham, Alabama.

And Argentina, last year's runners-up, will be without David Nalbandian and Juan Martin del Potro as they host the Netherlands in Buenos Aires.

WORLD GROUP 1st ROUND Argentina v Netherlands Czech Rep v France USA v Switzerland Croatia v Chile Sweden v Israel Romania v Russia Germany v Austria Spain v Serbia

France look like being serious challengers for the title this year with a line-up that includes Gilles Simon, Gael Monfils, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet.

Guy Forget's team travel to Ostrava to take on the Czech Republic, led by Tomas Berdych and Radek Stepanek.

Sweden's home tie against Israel has already been the subject of much attention as it will be played behind closed doors.

Local authorities took the decision over fears about the safety of the Israeli team members in Malmo - a city with a large Muslim community.

The ITF has criticised the move, but Sweden captain Mats Wilander said: "This is about security and there have been experts on the case.

"We can only try to play our best, even though it will be hard (without the fans)."

Around 1,000 police officers will be on duty for the three-day tie and between 8,000 and 12,000 people are expected to demonstrate on Saturday.

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