MADRID (AFP) - French Open champion Rafael Nadal has turned down the chance to represent Spain in next month's Davis Cup meeting with Peru in Lima, the team said Friday.

Nadal, shattered by his Australian Open semi-final mauling by unseeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga on Thursday, will rest up for the February 8 to 10 tie as Spain go with a team comprising world number five David Ferrer, Tommy Robredo, ranked 12, Fernando Verdasco (28) and Nicolas Almagro (31).

Almagro will get his first tast of action in a competition which Spain won in 2000 for the first time and again in 2003, when Nadal starred in a win over the United States.

Skipper Emilio Sanchez Vicario said he accepted Nadal's decision.

"We all know how good a player he is and about the goals he has set himself to win Grand Slams and get to be world number one.

"We all know the physical toll which this requires and he has preferred to concentrate on his objectives. If there is another tie I hpoe he will be able to come on board."