Rafael Nadal is a surprise inclusion for Spain in the final eight of the Davis Cup tennis tournament in November.

Rafael Nadal of Spain competes during the men's singles final match between Rafael Nadal of Spain and Daniil Medvedev of Russia at Australian Open in Melbourne Park, in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 30, 2022. (Photo by Hu Jingchen/Xinhua)

The 38-year-old former world No. 1, who has won 22 Grand Slams, has been included in Spain's squad along with Carlos Alcaraz, Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreno Busta and Marcel Granollers, despite not competing since the Paris Olympic Games.

Following the Olympics, Nadal was forced to withdraw from the US Open and the Laver Cup because of fitness worries.

Spain will play against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals that are held in the Spanish city of Malaga between November 19 and 24.