Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.

Rafael Nadal will make a welcome return to the Spanish Davis Cup side next weekend when the tennis power plays a lower-tier tie against Denmark in hopes of regaining respectability and an eventual return to the World Group.

Nadal has made himself scarce in recent seasons for the squad, whose controversial – but untested – female Davis Cup captain Gala Leon was replaced in July after howls of protest from male players. But the new skipper is also a woman, former player Conchita Martinez, whose profile in the game is at least somewhat higher after her 1994 Wimbledon title win over Martina Navratilova.

Nadal will be onside for only the second tie in four years. Spain needs a win over Denmark to take the first step towards redemption. Nadal will be joined on court by seventh-ranked David Ferrer, Roberto Bautista, Fernando Verdasco and David Marrero.

Nadal could use a Davis Cup boost himself this season after failing to win a grand slam event title for the first time in 11 years; he last competed in Davis Cup against Ukraine in 2013. Ferrer is back after a three-year absence. Nadal won 21 rubbers in a row after losing in his 2004 Davis Cup debut.

“We have a spectacular team,” Martinez said. “It’s always dangerous to play away from Spain, where the conditions will obviously favor the home team.” The tie on hardcourt may not be quite to the Spanish liking, which would give the hosts something of an edge. Spain is playing outside of the World Group for the first time in nine years.

Copyright © 2015. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis.