The Spaniard has reached three deciders in 2017 but lost on each occasion, including going down 6-3 6-4 to Federer on Sunday.
Nadal was also beaten by his Swiss rival in the Australian Open final, while he lost to Sam Querrey in Acapulco.
The 14-time grand-slam champion feels he is at a decent level ahead of playing on his favourite surface – clay.
“I think I am close to where I need to be,” Nadal said.
“I am at a very high level of tennis and I believe I am ready to win these titles. I already played three finals this year and today I lost to a player that had lost only one match.”
While Nadal is yet to clinch a title, he has an impressive 19-5 win-loss record this year.
The 30-year-old said he knew he would be a contender if he continued his form on clay.
“I’m playing enough well to fight for everything I think. I have good hopes that I going to be ready for Monte Carlo,” Nadal said.
“Always when I am playing that well, on clay it helps a little bit more for me. I need to work hard to be ready for that. If I am ready for that, I think I am very excited about playing on clay again.
“I think about resting a little bit, having fun a little bit in Mallorca and I’ll be happy to be back home after one and a half months. Then I will start working hard on clay. That’s my goal now.
“My goal is to feel ready to play on clay again and I know if I have good preparation and have a healthy transition to the clay and find my rhythm on clay, I can be one of those candidates.”
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