Eight-Time MotoGP World Champion Reveals Turning to Rafael Nadal for Motivation During Injury Struggle

Ace motorcycle racer Marc Marquez has revealed that he looked upto to compatriot Rafael Nadal for inspiration while he was sitting out injured.

Speaking to Spanish publication La Pelotita, the eight-time MotoGP world champion made a big-bang return to racing this year after a long injury spell, winning the German Grand Prix end-to-end.

The Spaniard, who races for Repsol Honda, revealed that while he was nursing a broken right shoulder he sought inspiration in the life story of Nadal and how he came back from injuries which many feared would end his career.

Marc Marquez said he spoke to Rafael Nadal while out injured with a broken shoulder

He revealed that while struggling to regain fitness on the sidelines, two men who he spoke to for motivation were former Australian Moto racing champion Mike Doohan and Nadal.

Marquez added that he still has issues with his shoulder but the inspiring words from Doohan and Nadal helps him brave the pain to keep going.

?The rehabilitation process has been very long, and I still have a lot of difficulties with my right arm. Of course, I try to find motivations and some reference. One of the guys I spoke to and understood his situation is Mike Doohan for his major accident in 1992. Another athlete was Rafa Nadal,? Marquez said.

A five-time former MotoGP world champion, Doohan nearly lost his life in the 1992 accident.

Nadal has battled injuries throughout his career

Nadal has struggled with his injuries all his career and has often battled and braved severe pain to keep himself going.

Even this year, in the run-up to the Australian Open, the 13-time French Open champion withdrew from the ATP Cup citing back spasms.

Watch This Link: Top Moments When Rafael Nadal Sent Tennis Commentators Wild

Though he entered the men?s draw at Melbourne Park and reached the semifinals, the Spaniard skipped some events thereafter to rest his back and return fit and firing for the clay court season.

Read More: Rafael Nadal Explains Why He Chose Tennis As a Career

After losing to eventual champion Novak Djokovic in the last four at Roland-Garros, Nadal withdrew from the ongoing Wimbledon Championships and the Tokyo Olympics, citing the need to listen to his body after a grueling run on dirt and ensuring longevity in the sport.