"My objective is the Davis Cup, which I wasn't able to play last year. To win it is my dream this year,'' Nadal told Spanish reporters from Melbourne on Monday, a day after his 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-2 victory.
A knee injury sidelined Nadal for Spain's 3-1 victory over Argentina in November's Davis Cup final. It was Spain's third Davis Cup title in eight years.
Nadal, who was a member of Spain's 2004 winning team, hasn't yet committed to playing in Spain's first-round match against Serbia from March 6-8 at Benidorm.
"It's a dream more than an objective,'' Nadal said of winning the Cup title. "There is no margin for slowing down now.''
Nadal's sixth Grand Slam victory - after a fourth straight French Open and first Wimbledon championship last year - was also his third straight win over Federer in a major final.
The defeat took its toll on the No. 2-ranked Swiss player, who broke down during the trophy presentation after Sunday's final.
"I wasn't able to enjoy this win too much after seeing Federer in the state that he was in after losing the final. It leaves you a little shaken,'' the 22-year-old Nadal said. "I think that mentally he made such a mountain of it that he came crashing down, but that can happen to anybody.''
Nadal can become the sixth man to complete a calendar year Grand Slam by sweeping all four majors. He would need to defend his titles at Roland Garros and Wimbledon and win the U.S. Open, the only major that's eluded him so far.
"The U.S. Open is a tournament that has always taken a little bit more out of me,'' Nadal said. "Last year it was a shame that I arrived tired, but my objective is to continue improving because it's the only way to complete, or at least try for, the Grand Slam.''
Rafael Nadal calls Davis Cup his next objective
Rafael Nadal calls Davis Cup his next objective
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