While the majority of the ATP is fighting under the South Florida sun at the Miami Open, Rafael Nadal is preparing for his return to the tour. The 16-time Grand Slam champion has been training on clay in Mallorca ahead of a planned return in Monte Carlo.

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But Nadal is coming back sooner than expected. With Spain hosting Germany in the Davis Cup quarterfinals at the start of April, Nadal has been named to the Spanish team.

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Spain will host the Germans in Valencia on April 6-8. Nadal last played a doubles match for Spain in 2016, and his last singles Davis Cup match was back in 2015.

Nadal, currently ranked No. 2, has been sidelined since the Australian Open with a hip injury.

After retiring in the quarterfinals against Marin Cilic in Melbourne, the Spaniard was due to comeback at the end of February in Acapulco. His hip injury forced him out of Acapulco and then Indian Wells and Miami.

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Roger Federer's unexpected loss to Thanasi Kokkinakis means Nadal will rise back to the top spot in the rankings on Monday.

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