Spain's Rafael Nadal reacts during his Men's singles final match against Switzerland's Roger Federer on Jan 29, 2017. [Photo/Agencies]

MADRID - Rafael Nadal on Monday pulled out of Spain's Davis Cup clash with Croatia this weekend, the Spanish tennis federation said.

Nadal, who went down in five sets to Roger Federer in Sunday's final of the Australian Open, will be replaced by Feliciano Lopez for the World Group first-round tie.

The Spanish tennis federation said its medical staff suggested that Nadal sit out the trip to Osijek given "the little recovery time" available to the world number six.

The federation noted that Nadal "had played in a lot of matches after four months out of action" in January.

Five-time Davis Cup champions Spain are making their return to the World Group after a two-year absence.

Lopez, the world number 33, joins Roberto Bautista Agut, Pablo Carreno Busta and Marc Lopez against Croatia, who lost to Argentina in last year's final.