Canada look to retain the Davis Cup, the world's top-level men's team tennis tournament, having started their title defense in Malaga, Spain on Tuesday.

The Canadian women had won the Billy Jean King Cup, the world's top-level women's team tennis tournament, in nearby Seville a fortnight ago.

Missing Denis Shapovalov for the Davis Cup, Canada captain Frank Dancevic has called up Milos Raonic, along with Gabriel Diallo, Alexis Galarneau and the veteran Vasek Pospisil, who helped them qualify for the finals after tough qualification rounds against Italy, Sweden and Chile.

Canada will be spearheaded by Felix-Auger Aliassime, who returns to action after not playing in September and slipping down in the world rankings from No. 6 at the start of the year to outside the top-20.

Aliassime will play on an indoor hard court, which is arguably his favorite surface, and places a lot of value on Canada as a team, rather than a collection of individual talents.

"Whenever we come together as a team, we always believe we can win," Aliassime commented on the eve of the tournament.

Meanwhile, Novak Djokovic arrived in Malaga on Monday after completing an incredible seventh win in the ATP Finals and in his 400th week as world No. 1.

Djokovic will lead Serbia in their quarterfinal against Britain, who are led by World No. 18 Cameron Norrie. 

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