News

04/10/13

Andjela Skrobonja, Smrikva Bowl girl, joined "La Bottega" di Smrikve few days ago with her coach Lacika...

Andjela Skrobonja this summer won the National under 12 Championship in Serbia and few days ago she arrived with her coach Lacika to enjoy some tennis time in Smrikve… :)

Every day there is one thing to learn and one thing to teach… just one… ;)

Please visit www.smrikve.com to learn more about Smrikve, Istria from Smrikve, Smrikva Bowl, one of the most important under 10 tennis tournaments in the World, and Villa Smrikve, for your accommodation with swimming pool in Stinjan (Pula – Pola) if you decide to spent your holiday in Istria, Croatia.

21/09/13

19th SMRIKVA BOWL 2014 selection process starts today on Ambassadors Day... 21st of September...

Dear Smrikva Bowl and Smrikve friends!

Today is 21st of September 2013… and it is the Smrikva Bowl 2014 edition selection date start…

The International Day of Peace, also known as the World Peace Day, occurs annually on September 21st… It is dedicated to peace, or specifically the absence of war, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone. It is observed by many people. For the first time was celebrated in 1981.

Years ago this date was selected to be the Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors Day…

The Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors Day, although celebrated on the same day as the World Peace Day, is dedicated to civilisation, intergenerational responsibility and tennis. Without civil society in a modern world there is no guarantee for peace… and without peace it is hard to allow talents development…

In 1981 the United Nations General Assembly declared, in a resolution sponsored by the United Kingdom and Costa Rica, the third Tuesday of September (the opening day of regular sessions of the General Assembly) as the International Day of Peace devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace and civilisation values.

In 2001, the day was changed from the third Tuesday to the twenty-first day of September. A new resolution was passed by the General Assembly to give the Day of Peace a fixed date and declare it a global ceasefire day.

In 1991, on September 21st, I left Smrikve for Milan, it was the war time in my country, 5 years before, on the same day, in 1986, I sailed with a boat to Dubrovnik with school friends living a nice life time memory experience.

Having our calendar year 365 days, if we live for some time and create our own experience, we learn that the same day can remind us something nice and something not nice… it is a circle…

Not nice could be compared to a mistake in tennis… we learn from mistakes. They help us to understand what we do not do properly… they help us to learn…

To end this introductory comment I am pleased to repeat words of a Nobal Prize for Peace who was guest speaker to one of Ambrosetti’s Young Leader Group meetings: “The future is always in a minority. Yet the history of the future is more important than the history of the past. It is for the old to remember the past. It is for the young to build the world of tomorrow.

Do it! You can build a world without wars. You can build a new humanity.”

Everything around us lives in a delicate equilibrium and with intelligence we should try to understand it and respect it. The knowledge, human curiosity and will to learn are important. They are all parts of the civilisation path.

Our Nobal Prize guest used in his note the statement: “Do it!” thus reminded me Yoda’s wisdom words when he shares his knowledge with young Jedi: “There is no try. Do or do not ” :)

If people believe in the future there is future. If people do not believe in the future there is no future.

Having written the above I would continue with saying… it is a good day to start the research of the Smrikva Bowl talents for the 2014 edition.

With this e-mail the selection process for the 19th annual Smrikva Bowl 2014 starts. 19th Smrikva Bowl will be held in Pula-Istria, Croatia, from 23rd till 28th of June 2014. Smrikva Bowl, as some of you may know, gathers world tennis talents under 10…

When I think of Smrikva Bowl I try to imagine it as a theater where every year we work hard to set a stage where the world’s talents can gather… Every year we gather all these different actors, great talents, very special kids, arriving from different cultures, having different dreams,...

We set the stage and later on they are in charge with their will, dreams and hard work… they are the ones who write the most different stories…

Smrikva Bowl is still very young tournament but I would like to think that some of these kids will write nice and inspiring stories in most different professional fields.

I also know that according to the statistics only few of the kids participating Smrikva Bowl will make it to become top professional tennis players, but I like to think that they will make it in other professional fields they choose in their lives.

Few years ago I read Andre Agassi’s book… and through the whole book he was repeating to friends and people meeting during his life that he doesn’t like tennis thus it seems to me that he never had the option to choose, but in end he ended up being the Champion and according to Luke Jensen a person with big heart and very good friend.

I will never know how many kids playing Smrikva Bowl are playing it because their parents would like them to become professional tennis players and how much of them play it because they enjoy the game.

What I do know is that any kind of sport can help kids in their growth and I also know that people that do excel in any field require total dedication and a lot of sacrifice to reach the excellence.

When I think of Andre’s words of not loving what he was doing for most of the time of his life I start thinking of other 90% of the people around the World that make for living doing jobs they do not like, but in end “La vita e’ bella” Roberto Benigni would say and tennis helped Andre to grow…

There is one part in the book that I liked a lot… it is about inspiration, faith and what does it mean to be a good coach… to have the right word in the right moment… this part is related with Gil… and is about people who believe in other people and help them to write their life stories and to write their own… Here are Gil’s words reported by Andre in his book when he accepted to coach him:

“I’m not one of those people who expresses or articulates feelings very well, but from now on, just know this: It’s on, man. It is on.

You know what I’m saying? We’are in a fight, and you can count on me until the last man is standing. Somewhere up there is a star with your name on it. I might not be able to help you find it, but I’ve got pretty strong shoulders, and you can stand on my shoulders while you’re looking for that star. You hear? For as long as you want. Stand on my shoulders and reach, man. Reach.”

In every life there are people that influence what we do and how we do it.

The Smrikva Bowl festival aims to inspire its players and Ambassadors to beleive in their dreams and work hard to reach them.

There is a detailed presentation dedicated to 19th Smrikva Bowl 2014 edition with the application form and other relevant information just posted on the main page of the Smrikva Bowl website

I am pleased to recall that 18th Smrikva Bowl 2013 gathered top players from 37 countries and all the continents…

Since the tournament foundation in 1996, over 1350 top players from 62 countries played in the event… This year… was the second year in the row that over 40% of participants accepted were ranked #1 in their countries…

Smrikva Bowl was always something “more than tennis”… a tennis birthday party… ;)…

In 2005 we started to plant old olive trees during the Ambassadors’ nomination ceremony… and there are 9 very special olive trees planted in Smrikve holding around 900 names from all around the World…

In 2009 the cultural tourism guide “Istria from Smrikve” was published and this was my gift to the Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors and Smrikve friends.

They are helping us in scouting talents around the world and our little Ambassadors also help us in spreading the word about Istria as cultural tourism destination worth visiting.

The same year, Smrikva Bowl participants started to bring a book about the culture of the place they are coming from thus we started to create Smrikva Bowl Library… from time to time we are also using the library as classroom for “La Bottega” di Smrikve students… Donated book form a library of over 480 books from 52 countries…

Smrikva Bowl mission is to develop and spread Cosmopolitan values. Children, sport, culture and music are part of the Cosmopolitan World.

Cosmopolite website is another gift to the friends of Smrikve and our Ambassadors. It is a website dedicated to a book describing the importance of civilization for the talents development.

Many of you are our Smrikve Ambassadors and I would like to take this opportunity to inform you that the number of the accepted players will be as per tradition 100 players and your help will be precious.

If you know a good tennis player born in 2004 that deserves to play Smrikva Bowl please let us know… and you are more than welcome to participate in helping us to spread the word about Smrikva Bowl in your community.

In 2013 Smrikva Bowl kids took six first places at Junior Grand Slam Tournaments out of the 8 possible first places: Ana Konjuh (Junior Australian Open), Belinda Bencic (Junior Roland Garros), Gianluigi Quinzi and Belinda Bencic (Junior Wimbledon), Ana Konjuh and Borna Coric (Junior US OPEN)... “seeds of the Legends of tomorrow”...

And for the end… being today World Peace Day… I wish Smrikva kids to continue to inspire by example other kids… and wish some of them may make true Nelson Mandela – Madiba’s words when he noted that “Sport has the power to change the world, the power to inspire and the power to unite people in a way little else can – it is an instrument of peace.”

Thank you all for your help and attention,

Mio
P.S. for those who still did not see it… enjoy the Hovering Tour.. of “home away from home” to many Smrikva kids :)

19/09/13

Just attended Annual PTR Tennis Forum Meeting 2013 at Vavassori Tennis Academy - Palazzolo in ITALY

I participated last week end to the Annual PTR Tennis Forum at Vavassori Tennis Academy in Palazzolo, nearby Brescia in Italy… which was, as per tradition, full of interesting speakers…

Let me give you just a brief overview…

This year at the Annual PTR Tennis Forum held at Palazzolo there were four new guest speakers to me Mark Tennant, Stefano Dolce, Gianluca Vignali and Jean-Marie Bouchy...

Mark Tennant has over 25 years of coaching experience… and has worked on ITF program Play and Stay…

He made a nice presentation of the basic strokes evolution in the under 10 age group… the presentation he shared will be presented on the next ITF conference in Mexico…

On the picture below you can see the core teaching team of PTR Italy… from left to right… Luigi Casale, Luigi Bertino, Marco Vecchi, Danilo Pizzorno, Herbert Schnaublet and Luciano Botti...

Gianluca Vignali was the pioneer of the wheelchair tennis in Italy… and today the contribution of his work is more than visible all over the country… it was another very interesting exposition in getting closer to the issues faced by those who practice tennis in wheelchair…

Jean-Marie Bouchy with Danilo Pizzorno presented Dartfish Express and Dartfish.tv… for all the people who approached video analysis Darfish is a well known name… and Jean-Marie is the responsible for Dartifsh southern Europe…. while Danilo Pizzorno is a European level expert in video analysis… I had pleasure to attend several of his courses…

Stefano Dolce with Luigi Bertino spoke about tennis coach development… it was a case study interview…

Stefano Dolce was Luigi’s student years ago… and he was also at Smrikva Bowl years ago with some of his students…

In his career was a good junior player and later on he helped Federico Gaio, ex #5 ITF, in his development, and currently he just started to work with Giulia Pairone, a promissing Smrikva Bowl girl,...

In end Herbert Schnaubelt made a nice exposition on “How to be”... a communication issue was the key subject of his part…

... and Luciano Botti concluded the meeting… awarding several long term members… on the picture below are 25 years members… among which Vavassori… and Marco Rossi…

Marco’s son Mattia played Smrikva Bowl some years ago ;)...

PTR is always to me a growing experiences and such an experience was also this year Annual Forum :)

... and just one more thing… having explained the above… I would just say that Dasha from Moscow keeps training in Smrikve… at La Bottega… and I think the following picture I made a year ago is particular enough to stamp a nice smile at the end of today’s article… in few days the selection of the 19th Smrikva Bowl 2014 edition will start…

15/09/13

Yesterday we collected grapes and started the 19th Smrikva Bowl 2014 - SMRIKVE Malvazija wine production

We just collected grapes and started 2014 Smrikve wine production… the wine collection of limited 200 bottles will be made as per tradition… and it will be donated to the families participating the 19th Smrikva Bowl 2014 edition…

It was a long day and several people helped us during the collection process. The grapes were yellow colored and of sweet taste… and as per tradition we will do our best to make good wine…

Smrikve Malvazija is thanks to the Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors spread in 62 countries and all the continents. Last year we created a limited collection of 200 bottles and never above 200 bottles… it is always a gift of our family to the Smrikva Bowl families and to our friends.

Wine and gastronomy are part of a culture and wine bottle that we give to every Smrikva Bowl family is part of our cultural gift that every year we are pleased to make to our guests coming from all around the World.

The wine making is the tradition in Smrikve since 1957…

The wine production is a passion for many Istrian families and my grandfather Mate was a great lower of wine and wine making. The first thing he made in 1957 when he settled in Smrikve was planting the vineyard.

Probably not many Smrikva Bowl readers do know the story how my grandfather agreed to take out a row of vineyard to create the space for the court where today the Smrikva Bowl finals are played.

My father, me and my Uncle continue the wine making tradition in Smrikve…

Several years ago I bought a vineyard close to the vineyard planted by my grandfather and today my father and me are doing our best to get the best from what Malvasia grapes can give.

The first phase of the processing the grapes started today…

We collected the grapes but also separated the juice of the rest to obtain the golden color that usually our Istrian Malvazija (Malmsey) wine has. Now for two days the fermentation will be blocked to allow the wine to start its transformation process cleaner than it is today after the collection.

In Smrikve we produce Istrian Malvazija (Malmsey) and during the Smrikva Bowl we use to give a bottle of wine to every family as a memory to their Smrikva Bowl. Probably one day this bottles might be something special if our kids continue to love tennis game and continue to write the Smrikva Bowl story with their results.

Wine as part of the culture…

In the regions where the wine is produced the wine was always part of the culture of the particular site. Also the wine we produce is part of the Smrikve tradition and this is the reason why we are pleased to give a bottle to every family that come to visit us for the Smrikva Bowl.

There is an old Istrian saying: ”Vino od loze i mliko od koze” and “Kruh je za tilo a vino je za dušu”. The translation from Croatian is difficult because you loose the feel of the language. Goat is the symbol of Istria and the meaning of the first saying would be: ”Wine from the grapevine and milk from the goat” and the meaning of the second would be: “Bread is for the body, wine is for the soul”.

With todays collection as I said we started the process of transforming the grapes into wine for the 18th Smrikva Bowl 2013 edition of Malvazija.

The main Istrian wines are: Malvazija, Terran, Refosc and Muscatel.

The glory of the Istrian wine dates back to over 2000 years ago…

For those who are not familiar with Istrian wine I am pleased to remined the reader that Istrian wine was considered one of the best in the Roman Empire, around 20 centuries ago, and was preferred by Livia Drusilla, also known as Iulia Augusta, the wife of the first Roman Emperor Augustus.

Livia Drusilla’s preferred wine was the Istrian wine Pucinum. Livia is considered one of the most influent women in the beginning of the Roman Empire era. It is not know what wine it was because todays wines were brought in Istria mostly by Venitians.

Todays Istrian Malvazija’s story is related with Serenissima… the Venetian Republic

The story of Istrian Malvazija, cultivated in Istria since the end of the 16th century, is fascinating and it relates to the Venetians.

At the beginning of the 15th century the Venetians occupied Peloponnesus in Greece. In the Peloponnesus region there is a town Monemvassia, also named Malvasia. From this town the Venetians started to import the wine into Venice and the other areas controlled by the Venetian Republic.

This wine was so successful and became so famous all over Europe that Venetians decided to plant huge vineyards on the biggest Greek island, Crete.

Between the 16th and 18th century Malvasia become the most important wine in Europe. In 1570 the Turks conquered Crete and Venetians decided to plant Malvasia vineyards in other areas that had friendly relations with Venice which, at that time, also included Istria.

In end Malvasia is in Istria since the above mentioned period while it is not known the sort of the wine that was preferred by the wife of the Emperor Augustus, Livia Drusilla – Julia Augusta.

Giacomo Casanova in his diary talks about another Istrian sort and another great wine…

Giacomo Casanova visited Vrsar several times and in his diary he describes a good wine Refosc and nice women… That Refosc could be Terran too because if you look at the grapes you will hardly note the difference and today Refosc is mostly cultivated in the Slovenian part of Istria while in other areas the dominant sort is Malvasia.

Another excellent wine can be found around Momjan area made of Muscatel sort.

On Istria from Smrikve you can learn much more…

To learn more about Istrian gastronomy and wine please visit the E-book about Istrian cultural heritage on www.smrikve.com/istria/ named “Istria from Smrikve” or join Discover Istria from Smrikve group on Linked In.

Please visit www.smrikve.com to learn more about Smrikve, Istria from Smrikve, Smrikva Bowl, one of the most important under 10 tennis tournaments in the World, and Villa Smrikve and SMRIKVE LOUNGE, for your accommodation with swimming pool in Stinjan (Pula – Pola) if you decide to spent your holiday in Istria, Croatia.

11/09/13

Top Smrikva Bowl and "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl players on ATP, WTA, ITF and European under 14 and 16 ranking lists (update September 2013)

Former top Smrikva Bowl players that reached certain results on the professional ranking list are mentioned below and the top Smrikva Bowl players that are still competing…

As of 12th of September 2013 the ranking summary of the very TOP former Smrikva Bowl boys and girls is the following:

• 9 players TOP 500 WTA

Donna VEKIC – 2003-2005 player – #62 WTA
Petra MARTIC – 2001 winner – #89 WTA
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC – 2003 semif.- # 101 WTA
Tereza MRDEZA – 2000 winner – #176 WTA
Ana KONJUH – 2007 runner up – #278 WTA
Belinda BENCIC – 2006 player – 330#
Ivana LISJAK – 1997 winner – 387#
Olga IANCHUK – 2005 runner up – #412 WTA
Martina CAREGARO – 2002 winner – #461 WTA

• 11 players TOP 700 ATP

Dominic THIEM – 2003 winner – #166 ATP
Javier MARTI – 2002 winner – #207 ATP
Kern ROBIN – 2002 player – #353 ATP
Gianluigi QUINZI – 2006 winner – # 390 ATP
Dino MARCAN – 2001 runner up – #408 ATP
Borna CORIC – 2005 player – #525 ATP
Laslo DJERE – 2005 runner up – #556 ATP
Matteo DONATI – 2005 winner – #590 ATP
Gaio FEDERICO – 2002 player – #592 ATP
Miki JANKOVIC – 2004 runner up – #616 ATP
Filip VEGER – 2004 semifinalist – #662 ATP

• 6 boys and 9 girls… in total 15 players are in TOP 100 ITF

BOYS:

#1 Borna CORIC – Junior US OPEN 2013 winner

#3 Gianluigi QUINZI – Junior WIMBLEDON 2013 winner

#5 Nikola MILOJEVIC

#7 Laslo DJERE

#77 Franko MIOCIC

#85 Matteo DONATI

GIRLS:

#1 Belinda BENCIC – Junior ROLAND GARROS 2013 and Junior WIMBLEDON 2013 winner

#2 Ana KONJUH – Junior AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2013 winner and Junior US OPEN 2013 winner

#18 Nina STOJANOVIC

#21 Christina MAKAROVA

#26 Katie BOULTER

#29 Ivana JOROVIC

#60 Jana FETT

#78 Michaela GORDON

#100 Ilka CSOREGI

• 2 girls are in TOP 10 ETA under 16 – (Belinda BENCIC #1, Ana KONJUH #2)

• 3 boys are in TOP 10 ETA under 14 – (Samuele RAMAZZOTTI #2, Miomir KECMANOVIC #4, Max STEWART #10)

IN 1996 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM ISTRIA AND KVARNER (1st Smrikva Bowl)... IN 1997 TOP PLAYERS FROM CROATIA gathered on the 2nd Smrikva Bowl... IN 1998 3rd SMRIKVA BOWL STARTED TO GATHER FIRST FOREIGN PLAYERS...

BOYS
Vilim VISAK, 1st Smrikva Bowl 1996 winner, from Croatia. Vilim’s best ranking was #612 in March 2006.

GIRLS
Ivana LISJAK, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, from Croatia. Ivana’s best ranking was #95 on WTA list in June 2006; her current ranking is #387 on WTA list

Astrid BESSER, 4th Smrikva Bowl 1999 winner, from Italy. Atrid’s best ranking was #356 on WTA list in March 2009.

Tereza MRDEZA, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, from Croatia, is currently ranked #186 on WTA list.

Adelchi VIRGILI, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, from Italy, is currently ranked #798 on WTA list.

2001 – 6th Smrikva Bowl was the last year with dominance of the top national players…

BOYS
Marin DRAGANJA, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #900 on ATP ranking list.
Dino MARCAN, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #408 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Petra MARTIC, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #89 on WTA list. Petra’s best raning is #42 on WTA list as of June 2012.

IN 2002 SMRIKVA BOWL STARTED TO BE A EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

2002 – 7th Smrikva Bowl and 1st”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Javier MARTI, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Spain, is currently ranked #207 on ATP list.
Federico GAIO, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Italy, is currently ranked #662 on ATP list*.

GIRLS
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #101 on WTA list.
Martina CAREGARO, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Italy, is ranked #461 on WTA ranking list; her best ranking was #370 on WTA list in October 2010.
Ema BURGIC, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, best ranking was #505 on WTA list in July 2010.

2003 – 8th Smrikva Bowl and 2nd”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Dominic THIEM, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Austria, is ranked #166 on ATP ranking list.
George MORGAN, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #1025 on ATP ranking list.
Ciprian PORUMB, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Romenia, is ranked #1614 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #101 on WTA list*.
Silvia NJIRIC, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #662 on WTA list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Emmett EGGER, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is not ranked yet on ATP list.

2004 – 9th Smrikva Bowl and 3rd”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Miki JANKOVIC, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #616 on ATP ranking list.
Filip VEGER, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 semifinalist, from Croatia, is ranked #662 on ATP ranking list.
Danil ZELENKOV, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 player, from FYR Macedonia, is not ranked on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia. Her best ranking was # 559 on WTA ranking list in June 2012.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Mitchel POLNET, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, not ranked on ATP ranking list.

Blair SHANKLE, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, is ranked #832 on WTA ranking list

IN 2005 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM 3 CONTINENTS

2005 – 10th Smrikva Bowl and 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Matteo DONATI, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Italy, is ranked #590 on ATP list.
Laslo DJERE, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #7 on ITF ranking list (TOP 10 ITF) and is ranked 556 on ATP list.
Gianluigi QUINZI, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Italy, is ranked #3 on ITF ranking list (TOP 10 ITF) and is ranked #390 on ATP list.
Nikola MILOJEVIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation tournament winner, from Serbia, is ranked #5 on ITF ranking list (TOP 10 ITF).
Borna CORIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, is ranked #1 on ITF ranking list (TOP 10 ITF) and is ranked #525 on ATP list.
Luka ILIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Serbia, is ranked #1115 on ATP ranking list.
Franko MIOCIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, is ranked #77 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF).

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia. Her best ranking was # 559 on WTA ranking list in June 2012.
Olga IANCHUK, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Ukraine, is ranked #412 on WTA list.
Irina Maria BARA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Romania, is ranked #666 on WTA ranking list.
Donna VEKIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, is ranked #62 on WTA list.
Iva MEKOVEC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, is ranked #642 on WTA list.
Camilla ROSATELLO, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Italy, is ranked #571 on WTA list.
Jana FETT, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Croatia, is ranked #60 on ITF ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Jeffrey SCHORSCH, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is not ranked on ITF ranking list.
Jose GRACIA, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is not ranked on ITF ranking list.
Yale GOLDBERG, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is not ranked on ITF ranking list.

Dorothy TANG, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is not ranked on ITF ranking list.

2006 – 11th Smrikva Bowl and 5th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Gianluigi QUINZI, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Italy, is ranked #3 on ITF ranking list (TOP 10 ITF) and is ranked #390 on ATP list.
Andre BIRO, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 semifinalist, from Hungary, is ranked #155 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Eleanor DEAN, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is not ranked on ITF ranking list.
Ilka CSOREGI, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 semifinalists, from Romania, is ranked #100 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF) and is ranked #849 on WTA list.
Dea HERDZELAS, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 quarterfinalists, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #457 on ITF ranking list, and is ranked #900 on WTA list.
Belinda BENCIC, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006, from Switzerland, is ranked #1 on ITF ranking list (TOP 10 ITF) and is ranked #330 on WTA list
Giulia PAIRONE, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006, from Italy, is ranked #104 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF) and is ranked #939 on WTA list.
Nina STOJANOVIC, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006, from Serbia, is ranked #18 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF)

“Little Mo” TEAM
Daniel MAESE, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is not ranked on ITF ranking list.
Aries WONG, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is still not ranked on ITF ranking list.

Christina MAKAROVA, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #21 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF), and is ranked #931 on WTA ranking list.
Gabriella UMOQUIT, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is not ranked #341 on ITF ranking list.

2007 – 12th Smrikva Bowl and 6th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Sacha MERZETTI, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 winner, from Italy, is ranked #1348 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Bogdan BORZA, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #68 in Europe in under 16 cathegory and is ranked #303 on ITF ranking list.
Gonzalo MORELL, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Spain, is ranked #683 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Sergiu BUCUR, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Romania, is ranked #494 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Ana KONJUH, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #2 in Europe in under 16 cathegory and #2 on ITF ranking list (TOP 10 ITF) and # 278 on WTA list.
Nina POTOCNIK, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Slovenia, is ranked #165 on ITF ranking list.
Ivana JOROVIC, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 player, from Serbia, is ranked #29 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF) and is ranked #701 on WTA list.
Jazzi PLEWS, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 player, from UK, is ranked #219 on ITF ranking list
Bianka BEKEFI, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 player, from Hungary, is ranked #117 on ITF ranking list
Anastasia MIKHEEVA, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from UK, is ranked #48 in under 14 european ranking.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Eduardo NAVA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #843 on ITF ranking list.
Tommy PAUL, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #164 on ITF ranking list.

Ndindi NDUNDA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #557 on ITF ranking list.
Domonique GARLEY, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is not ranked on ITF ranking list.

IN 2008 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM 5 CONTINENTS AND TURNED INTO A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

2008 – 13th Smrikva Bowl and 7th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Luka PANIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Switzerland, is ranked #737 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Mihnea TURCU, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #1482 in Europe in under 16 european ranking list.
Grega KOKALJ, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovenia, is ranked #940 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Andrea GUERRIERI, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Italy, is ranked #347 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.

GIRLS
Katarina JOKIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #113 on ITF ranking list.
Maia LUMSDEN, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Scotland, is ranked #214 on ITF ranking list.
Viktoria KUZMOVA, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovakia, is ranked #170 on ITF ranking list.
Estela Perez-Somarriba, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Spain, is ranked #952 on under 16 european ranking list.
Olga FRIDMAN, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 player, from Ukraine, is ranked #145 on ITF ranking list.
Nikolina JOVIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 player, from Serbia, is ranked #298 on ITF ranking list.
Gabriella Patricia TAYLOR, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 player, from UK, is ranked #161 on ITF ranking list.
Marija CURNIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 player, from Croatia, is ranked #447 on ITF ranking list.
Petra GRANIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 player, from Croatia, is ranked #606 on ITF ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Justin LEE, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is too young for the ITF ranking list.
William BLUMBERG, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #287 on ITF ranking list.

Ingrid NEEL, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #1123 on ITF ranking list.
Paulina FERRARI, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is too young for the ITF ranking list.

IN 2009 SMRIKVA BOWL HAD 6 NEW COUNTRIES AND 1 NEW CONTINENT THUS REACHED THE TOTAL OF 40 COUNTRIES AND 6 CONTINENTS THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE TOURNAMENT SINCE ITS FOUNDATION

2009 – 14th Smrikva Bowl and 8th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Alvaro REGALADO PEDROL, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winner, from Spain, is ranked #151 in under 14 european ranking.
Samuele RAMAZZOTTI, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 runner up, from Italy, is ranked #2 in under 14 european ranking (TOP 10 ETA U14).
Karlo SUEVICH, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Slovenia, is ranked #101 in under 14 european ranking.
Alejandro DAVIDOVICH, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Spain, is ranked #536 in under 14 european ranking.
Miomir KECMANOVIC, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 quarterfinalist and “La Bottega di Smrikve” visiting student, from Serbia, is ranked #4 in under 14 european ranking (TOP 10 ETA U14).
Alexei POPYRIN, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 Consolation Draw
winner, from Australia, is ranked #11 in under 14 european ranking (TOP 10 ETA u14).
Max STEWART, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from UK, is ranked #10 in under 14 european ranking.
Patrik RIKL, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 quarterfinalist, from Czech Republic, is ranked #23 in under 14 european ranking.
Karlo DIVKOVIC, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Croatia, is ranked #30 in under 14 european ranking.
Andrej JOKIC, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #48 in under 14 european ranking.

GIRLS
Katie SWAN, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winner, from United Kingdom, is ranked #217 in under 14 european ranking.
Jovana VUKOVIC – JOKA, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #62 in under 14 european ranking.
Inci OGUT, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Turkey, is ranked #28 in under 14 european ranking.
Arianna CAPOGROSSO, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Italy, is ranked #21 in under 14 european ranking.
Lucie KANKOVA, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Czech Republic, is ranked #22 in under 14 european ranking.
Sina ZUGER, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Switzerland, is ranked #34 in under 14 european ranking.
Andrea Amalia ROSCA, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 quarterfinalist, from Romania, is ranked #36 in under 14 european ranking.
Alessia WELTI, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 quarterfinalist, from Switzerland, is ranked #37 in under 14 european ranking.
Wiktoria KULIK, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Poland, is ranked #45 in under 14 european ranking.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Noah SCHACHTER, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is too young for the ITF ranking list.
Alex GEE, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is too young for the ITF ranking list.

Michaela GORDON, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is too young for the ITF ranking list.
Ashley LAHEY, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is too young for the ITF ranking list.

IN 2010 SMRIKVA BOWL HAD 9 NEW COUNTRIES AND REACHED THE TOTAL OF 49 COUNTRIES THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE TOURNAMENT SINCE ITS FOUNDATION

2010 – 15th Smrikva Bowl and 9th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Nicola KUHN, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 winner, from Spain, is ranked #63 in under 14 european ranking.
Karlo SUEVICH, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #101 in under 14 european ranking.
Yshai OLIEL, ranked 3rd on 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010, from Israel, is ranked #13 in under 14 european ranking.
Andrei Taica RADU, ranked 3rd on 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010, from Romania, is ranked #188 in under 14 european ranking.
Matic PODLIPNIK, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 player and “La Bottega di Smrikve” visiting student, from Slovenia, is ranked #375 in under 14 european ranking.

GIRLS
Jovana VUKOVIC – JOKA, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #62 in under 14 european ranking.
Paula ARIAS MANJON, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 runner up, from Spain, is ranked #322 in under 14 european ranking.
Neli SUNJIC, ranked 3rd on 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010, from Croatia, is ranked #41 in under 14 european ranking.
Kristina NOVAK, ranked 3rd on 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010, from Slovenia, is ranked #252 in under 14 european ranking.
Andja KARANUSIC, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010, from Croatia, is ranked #26 in under 14 european ranking.
Dalila SAID, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010, from Egypt, is ranked #49 in under 14 european ranking.

Daria SOLOVYEVA – DASHA, La Bottega di Smrikve visiting student 2011-2013, from Russia, is ranked #50 in under 14 european ranking.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Max MOTLAGH, played 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is too young for the ITF ranking list.

Claire LIU, played 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is too young for the ITF ranking list.
Alexa BUTERA, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is too young for the ITF ranking list.

IN 2011 SMRIKVA BOWL HAD 4 NEW COUNTRIES AND REACHED THE TOTAL OF 53 COUNTRIES THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE TOURNAMENT SINCE ITS FOUNDATION

2011 – 16th Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Duje AJDUKOVIC, 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 winner, from Croatia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Mihailo POPOVIC, 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 runner up, from Serbia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Alejandro SERRANO OSOBA, ranked 3rd on 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011, from Spain, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Stipan MADZAR, ranked 3rd on 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011, from Croatia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

GIRLS
Olga DANILOVIC, 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 winner, from Serbia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Ksenija TMUSIC, 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 runner up, from Serbia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Emilija KOJCIC, ranked 3rd on 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011, from Serbia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Betina TOKAC, ranked 3rd on 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011, from Turkey, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Andjela SKROBONJA, 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 player and “La Bottega” di Smrikve visiting student, from Serbia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

IN 2012 SMRIKVA BOWL HAD 4 NEW COUNTRIES AND REACHED THE TOTAL OF 57 COUNTRIES THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE TOURNAMENT SINCE ITS FOUNDATION... and for the first time in the quarterfinals there were still five continents represented: AFRICA, ASIA, AMERICA, OCENIA and EUROPE

2012 – 17th Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Goran ZIVOTIC, 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 winner, from Serbia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Sebastian GIMA, 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 runner up, from Romania, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Viktor JOVIC, ranked 3rd on 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012, Serbian origin living in UAE, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Ajdin MUHAREMOVIC, ranked 3rd on 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

GIRLS
Himari SATO, 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 winner, from Japan, is too young for ITF ranking.
Luisa MEYER AUF DER HEIDE, 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 runner up, from Germany, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Pia LOVRIC, ranked 3rd on 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012, from Slovenia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Zoe KRUGER, ranked 3rd on 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012, from Republic of South Africa, is too young for ITF ranking.

IN 2013 SMRIKVA BOWL HAD 5 NEW COUNTRIES AND REACHED THE TOTAL OF 62 COUNTRIES THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE TOURNAMENT SINCE ITS FOUNDATION...

2013 – 18th Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Alejandro TURRIZIANI ALVAREZ, 18th Smrikva Bowl 2013 winner, from Spain, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Carlos ALVAREZ GARFIA, 18th Smrikva Bowl 2013 runner up, from Spain, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Hamad MEDJEDOVIC, ranked 3rd on 18th Smrikva Bowl 2013, from Serbia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Daniel RINCON YAGUE, ranked 3rd on 18th Smrikva Bowl 2013, from Spain, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

GIRLS
Noa KRZNARIC, 18th Smrikva Bowl 2013 winner, from Croatia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Kyle BILCHEV, 18th Smrikva Bowl 2013 runner up, from UK, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Kornelia HUNCAK, ranked 3rd on 18th Smrikva Bowl 2013, from Croatia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Selin Lidya SEPKEN, ranked 3rd on 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012, from Turkey, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

07/09/13

12 Smrikva Bowl players played the Junior US OPEN 2013: Ana KONJUH and Borna CORIC are the winners of the US OPEN 2013... while Gianluigi QUINZI and Belinda BENCIC reached quarterfinals

There were several Smrikva Bowl players that I noted competing in the Main Draw of this year Junior US OPEN 2013... and Ana KONJUH and Borna CORIC made it till the end… both are the winners of this year JUNIOR US OPEN!

Six out of eight possible first places on this year Junior GRAND SLAMS Tournaments were taken by Smrikva Bowl kids:

• Ana KONJUH won Junior AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2013
• Belinda BENCIC won Junior ROLAND GARROS 2013
• Belinda BENCIC and Gianluigi QUINZI won Junior WIMBLEDON CHAMPIONSHIP 2013
• and this week Ana KONJUH and Borna CORIC were crowned the winners of the Junior US OPEN 2013

The exact number of the Smrikva players in the Main Draw is 12… :)...

... 12 out of 128 were at the beginning (9,4%)...

... 9 out of 64 were in the second round (14,0%)...

... 6 out of 32 were in the third round (18,75%)...

... 4 out of 16 were in the quarterfinals (25%): Borna CORIC, Gianluigi QUINZI, Belinda BENCIC and Ana KONJUH.

... 2 out of 8 are in the semifinals (25%): Borna CORIC and Ana KONJUH.

... 2 out of 4 were in the finals (50%): Borna CORIC and Ana KONJUH.

In end both Borna CORIC and Ana KONJUH obtained the victory (100%) ;)

In the following you will find more detailed results related to former Smrikva Bowl players on this year Junior US OPEN 2013 played in New York this week:

Boys:

Borna Coric (CRO) – 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player
1st round: Borna Coric – Tommy Paul (USA) 6:1, 6:2
2nd round: Borna Coric – Wei Qiang Zheng (CHN) 6:0, 6:0
3rd round: Borna Coric – Jorge Panta (PER) 6:4, 6:2
Quarterfinals: Borna Coric – Quentin Halys (FRA) 6:3, 6:1
Semifinals: Borna Coric – Alexander Zverev (GER) 4:6, 6:3, 6:0
Finals: Borna Coric – Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) 3:6, 6:3, 6:1

Gianluigi Quinzi (ITA) – 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner
1st round: Gianluigi Quinzi – Yusuke Takahashi (JPN) 6:2, 6:4
2nd round: Gianluigi Quinzi – Noah Rubin (USA) 6:3, 6:4
3rd round: Gianluigi Quinzi – Gage Brymer (USA) 6:2, 6:3
Quarterfinals:G.Quinzi -Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) 3:6,6:2,6:2

Tommy Paul (USA) – 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl player
1st round: Tommy Paul – Borna Coric (CRO) 1:6, 2:6

Girls:

Ana Konjuh (CRO) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up
1st round: Ana Konjuh – Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) 5:7,6:4,6:4
2nd round: Ana Konjuh – Kaitlyn McCarthy (USA) 6:3, 7:5
3rd round: Ana Konjuh – C. Bellis (USA) 6:3, 6:3
Quarterfinals: Ana Konjuh – Louisa Chirico (USA) 6:3, 6:2
Semifinals: Ana Konjuh – Mayo Hibi (JPN) 6:3, 6:3
Finals: Ana Konjuh – Tornado Alicia Black (USA) 3:6, 6:4, 7:6

Belinda Bencic(SUI) – 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 player
1st round: Belinda Bencic – Raveena Kingsley (USA) 6:2,6:4
2nd round: Belinda Bencic – Sandra Samir (EGY) 6:2, 6:2
3rd round: Belinda Bencic – Anhelina Kalinina (UKR) 6:2, 7:5
Quarterfinals: Belinda Bencic – Antonia Lottner (GER) 4:6,2:6

Michaela Gordon (USA) – 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl player
1st round: Michaela Gordon – Katherine Ip (HKG) 6:3, 6:2
2nd round: Michaela Gordon – Darya Kasatkina (RUS) 6:4, 6:3
3rd round: Michaela Gordon – Louisa Chirico (USA) 7:6,5:7,2:6

Katie Boulter (GBR) – 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 player
1st round: Katie Boulter – Usue Maitane Arconada (USA) 6:1, 6:2
2nd round: Katie Boulter – Elise Mertens (BEL) 6:3, 6:2
3rd round: Katie Boulter – Mayo Hibi (JPN) 1:6, 0:6

Claire Liu (USA) – 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl player
1st round: Claire Liu – Kamonwan Buayam (THA) 6:1, 7:5
2nd round: Claire Liu – Katerina Siniakova (CZE) 2:6, 3:6

qualifications:
1st round: Claire Liu – Xiaodi You (CHN) 6:0, 7:5
2nd round: Claire Liu – Rianna Valdes (USA) 6:3, 6:3

Ivana Jorovic (SRB) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 player
1st round: Ivana Jorovic – Jamie Loeb (USA) 4:6,6:4,6:1
2nd round: Ivana Jorovic – Mayo Hibi (JPN) 1:6, 4:6

Christina Makarova (USA) – 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl player
1st round: Christina Makarova – Ipek Soylu (TUR) 2:6,7:6,6:2
2nd round: Christina Makarova – Maria Marfutina (RUS) 6:7,0:3 r.

Jana Fett (CRO) – 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player
1st round: Jana Fett – Sara Sorribes Tormo (ESP) 3:6, 1:6

Nina Stojanovic (SRB) – 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 player
1st round: Nina Stojanovic – Francoise Abanda (CAN) 6:2,6:7,6:0

Please visit www.smrikve.com to learn more about Smrikve, Istria from Smrikve, Smrikva Bowl, one of the most important under 10 tennis tournaments in the World, and Villa Smrikve and SMRIKVE LOUNGE, for your accommodation with swimming pool in Stinjan (Pula – Pola) if you decide to spent your holiday in Istria, Croatia.

07/09/13

Daria SOLOVYEVA - Dasha, "La Bottega" di Smrikve visiting player, is the winner of Banka Koper Junior Slovenia Open-International Junior Championship Under 14

Daria SOLOVYEVA – Dasha, “La Bottega” di Smrikve 2011-2013 visiting student, from Moscow, won Banka Koper Junior Slovenia Open-International Junior Championship 2013 Under 14… a TE Europe Tournament… she won both single and doubles…

...and in doubles she played with the 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist Kristina NOVAK...

La Bottega di Smrikve is a natural development of the story started in 1996 when the Smrikva Bowl tennis talents story began… below is the picture made few days before Dasha’s departure to Koper :)... the new dress ;)...

Dasha’s road towards her victory in Koper 2013 Slovenia was the following:

Daria SOLOVYEVA (Rus) – La Bottega di Smrikve 2011-2013

1st round: Daria SOLOVYEVA – Sheila GLAVAS (Slo) 6:1, 6:1
2nd round: Daria SOLOVYEVA – Iva GABOR (Slo) 2:6, 6:2, 6:2
3rd round: Daria SOLOVYEVA – Lian BENEDEJCIC (Slo) 6:1, 6:4
Quarterfinals: Daria SOLOVYEVA – Kaja JUVAN (Slo) 1:6, 6:4, 6:0
Semifinals: Daria SOLOVYEVA – Anja GAL (Slo) 6:1, 6:3
Finals: Daria SOLOVYEVA – Sina ZUGER (Sui) 6:4, 6:0

There were several Smrikva Bowl players and “La Bottega” di Smrikve visiting students that I recognized in both boys and girls draws and here are the names:

GIRLS: Sina ZUGER (finals), Anja GAL (semifinals), Tina CVETKOVIC (quarterfinals), Karla KILIC (3rd round), Kristina NOVAK (3rd round), Lian BENEDEJCIC (3rd round), Joanne ZUGER (2nd round), Anita GAVRAN (1st round), Armina IZIC (1st round), Vesna SAVIC (1st round), Ziva FALKNER (1st round)

BOYS: Jan VEHOVEC (semifinals), Roko SAVIN (quarterfinals), Andrej OMERAGIC(quarterfinals), Andrin SANER (quarterfinals), Karlo SUEVICH (3rd round), Karim BENDJAMAA (2nd round), Jan KUPCIC (2nd round), Tim TEKAVEC (1st round), Karlo KAJIN (1st round), Matic PODLIPNIK (1st round), Mark MESARIC (1st round), Filip Jeff PLANINSEK (1st round), Luka MIKLAVCIC (1st round), Nemanja POPOVIC (1st round), Mai VIDOVIC (1st round), Zan GORENEC DIEMAT (1st round)

06/09/13

Alen ROGIC - HADZALIC, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 player, and Petra GRANIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 player, won the "2nd Mostar Open 18&U-2013" ITF Tournament

I just received the news from Alen ROGIC HADZALIC’s mother that he was able to reach the victory at the ITF Tournament just concluded in Mostar (Bosnia and Herzegovina) – “2nd Mostar Open 18&U-2013”

By checking the draws I noted that both winners, Alen ROGIC HADZALIC and Petra GRANIC, played Smrikva Bowl :)... and also the girls who reached the finals, Marija CURNIC, played Smrikva Bowl…

There were several other Smrikva Bowl kids that I noted in the Draws in Mostar… and I am pleased to share Alen and Petra’s road towards the victory of the “2nd Mostar Open 18&U-2013” in the following:

Boys:

Alen Rogic Hadzalic (CRO) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 player
1st round: Alen Rogic Hadzalic – Andrey Chepelev (Rus) 7:6,6:2
2nd round: Alen Rogic Hadzalic-Josip Krstanovic (Cro) 3:6,6:1,6:1
Quarterfinals: Alen Rogic Hadzalic -Dusan Vukicevic (Srb) 6:3, 6:4
Semifinals: Alen Rogic Hadzalic – Jurij Rodionov (Blr) 6:2, 6:1
Finals: Alen Rogic Hadzalic – Grigory Potemkin (Rus) 7:5,6:1

Other Smrikva Bowl kids I recognized in the boys draws: Karlo Boljat (1st round), Zvonimir Oreskovic (1st round), Mladen Mitak (1st round).

Girls:

Petra Granic(CRO) – 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 player
1st round: Petra Granic – Jelena Djordan (BiH) 6:2, 6:2
2nd round: Petra Granic – Natalie Kalmunzerova (Cze) 6:2, 6:3
Quarterfinals: Petra Granic – Iva Krivic (Cro) 6:3, 6:2
Semifinals: Petra Granic – Lea Boskovic (Cro) 6:2, 6:4
Finals: Petra Granic – Marija Curnic (Cro) 6:2, 7:6

Other Smrikva Bowl kids I recognized in the girls draws: Marija Curnic (finals), Lea Boskovic (semifinals), Dea Lako (1st round)

Please visit www.smrikve.com to learn more about Smrikve, Istria from Smrikve, Smrikva Bowl, one of the most important under 10 tennis tournaments in the World, and Villa Smrikve and SMRIKVE LOUNGE, for your accommodation with swimming pool in Stinjan (Pula – Pola) if you decide to spent your holiday in Istria, Croatia.

05/09/13

Maria TIMOFEEVA - MASHA and her friends Liza and Ana returned back home... :)

Maria TIMOFEEVA – MASHA, last year Smrikva Bowl player and this year Champion of Moscow under 10, spend a nice tennis vacation with her family and friends Liza and Ana... at “La Bottega” di Smrikve ;)...

Every morning there were Bleki and Nera to supervise is everything done properly on the court #1 ;)...

... and here are the actors of the last week at “La Bottega”... from left to right… Masha, Liza and Ana…

Ana was always joining the second part of the class when we were dedicating more time to the flat serve… “plosna padača” :)...

... a part of the guardians Bleki and Nera… the little Smrikve zoo is always full of surprises… and it was also this time for Masha, Liza and Ana…

Maybe it will be hard to spot the surprise on this little picture but there is a little animal in Liza and Masha’s hands… it is a little duck :))... the true specialist in duck walking ;)...

O yes… after days… the stance, grip, movement, rhythm, shoulders and hips rotation + pronation become something not that hard to execute ;)...

... and one morning the sky was almost ready to fall down… and we had to leave the courts to the thunders… and move into the tavern – KONOBA… :)

When the rain started… our KONOBA was a nice place to be in… Max’s grandmother started to prepare pancakes… and the mixer break dance made us smile… it was a long heart smile… :D

Before depart Masha, Liza and Ana had to go through some of the details we pay attention to during their stay… and correct answers were celebrated with t-shirts and caps ;)... the very rare one…

Ready to go… to leave their “home away from home” the SMRIKVE LOUNGE…

... and promised to return… return to Smrikve :D bye bye Masha, Liza and Ana…

Please visit www.smrikve.com to learn more about Smrikve, Istria from Smrikve, Smrikva Bowl, one of the most important under 10 tennis tournaments in the World, and Villa Smrikve and SMRIKVE LOUNGE, for your accommodation with swimming pool in Stinjan (Pula – Pola) if you decide to spent your holiday in Istria, Croatia.

29/08/13

Himari SATO, 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 winner, returned back home... and on her European road she met her friend Olga DANILOVIC - 16th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner... :)

Himari SATO, 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 winner, returned back home to JAPAN…

She spent various months in Europe and played nine Tennis Europe U12 this tournaments…

I learned that she met many Smrikva friends :) and I just received few pictures.. and at last tournament in Ptuj (Slovenia) Himari played in the finals with her friend Olga DANILOVIC – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner… :)

In nine tournaments Himari was able to collect many trophies :)... two times singles winner… two times finalist… ones semifinalist… four times double winners… one time finalist in doubles and one time semifinals… Congratulations!

... and I am pleased to post also few pictures from this year Smrikva Bowl when Himari visited us :)

... Himari on Brioni islands with Hibiki and Masaya...

... while playing ETA under 12 tournament in Trieste she came for couple of hours with her coach Toru to say hello :)....

... and during the finals Himari Sato was there to cheer the finalist… and here is with Noa Krznaric and Alejandro Turriziani, this year winners, holding the Wilson ball she signed last year ;)....

27/08/13

Donna Vekic (2005 Smrikva Bowl player) and Ajla Tomljanovic (2003 Smrikva Bowl semifinalist) reached the second round of the Main Draw at the US OPEN 2013 played in NEW YORK

Donna Vekic, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, born in 1996, currently ranked #*65 on WTA list* and, Ajla Tomljanovic, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 semifinalist, from Croatia, born in 1993, currently ranked #*129 on WTA list* are both in the Main Draw of the US OPEN 2013…

Ajla TOMLJANOVIC detailed results at the US OPEN 2013 are the following:

MAIN DRAW
1st round: Ajla Tomljanovic – Casey Dellacqua (AUS) 3:6,6:1,6:4
2nd round: Ajla Tomljanovic – Alize Cornet (FRA) 2:6, 2:6

QUALIFICATIONS
1st round: Ajla Tomljanovic – Melanie Klaffner (AUT) 6:2, 6:3
2nd round: Ajla Tomljanovic – Sachie Ishizu (JPN) 6:7, 6:4, 6:0
3rd round: Ajla Tomljanovic – Alison Van Uytvanck (BEL) 6:4,6:2

…while the ranking of the players is the following:

Melanie Klaffner (AUT) – # 179 WTA list
Sachie Ishizu (JPN) – # 179 WTA list
Alison Van Uytvanck (BEL) – # 166 WTA list

Casey Dellacqua (AUS) – # 184 WTA list
Alize Cornet (FRA) – # 28 WTA list

Donna VEKIC detailed results at US OPEN 2013 is the following:

1st round: Donna Vekic – M.Duque-Marino (COL) 7:6, 4:6, 6:2
2nd round: Donna Vekic – Simona Halep (ROU) 2:6, 1:6

…while the ranking of the players is the following:

Mariana Duque-Marino (COL) – # 98 WTA list
Simona Halep (ROU) – # 19 WTA list

25/08/13

Daria SOLOVYEVA - DASHA and Maria TIMOFEEVA - MASHA just arrived to "La Bottega" di Smrikve while Luka VIDOVIC and Davide INNOCENTI returned back home... :)

La Bottega di Smrikve is a natural development of the story started in 1996 when the Smrikva Bowl tennis talents story began… and there are many former Smrikva Bowl players that return to Smrikve to fine tune their skills…

... and Dasha from Moscow, after two finals at ETA under 14 (in Switzerland and Russia) and one victory at ETA under 14 Cat 2 (in Germany), is back “home” in Smrikve :)...

Luka VIDOVIC and his family went home few days ago…

and also Davide INNOCENTI who spent a nice tennis and fishing week with his family in Smrikve…

...went home this morning…

It was the voice of Domenico to wake up Smrikve early this morning… followed by the morning thunders…

After he picked up Davide’s rackets they went back home to Florence… while Nera and Bleki can take a nap… dreaming and living an “afternoon delight”... :)

Yesterday also Maria TIMOFEEVA – MASHA, last year Smrikva Bowl player and this year Champion of Moscow under 10, arrived with her family to spend some time at “La Bottega” ;)... she arrived with her friends Liza and Ana…

21/08/13

Luka VIDOVIC (2013 Smrikva Bowl player) and Davide INNOCENTI (2009 Smrikva Bowl player) just arrived to Smrikve... :)

Deni and Neven are spending this week at Futures played in Vinkovci…

... the little kids keep doing every morning their first steps towards developing their talents…

and Miso couple of days ago left Smrikve following his tournament schedule…

Luka Vidovic, this year Smrikva Bowl player, just arrived with his family to relax for some days and prepare for a tournament…

and also Davide Innocenti from Florence – Italy, who played Smrikva Bowl the same year as Miomir Kecmanovic – Misa, arrived with his family to relax and prepare for his arriving tournament schedule :)

At the end of this week couple of other Smrikva friends are expected to reach “La Bottega” ;)...

16/08/13

Deni ZMAK (1999 and 1998 Smrikva Bowl finalist), Neven KRIVOKUCA and Silvia BRGIC (2005 Smrikva Bowl), Ariana RABAC (2006 Smrikva Bowl), Miomir KECMANOVIC (2009 Smrikva Bowl quarterfinalist), Andjela SKROBONJA (2011 Smrikva Bowl) at La Bottega :)

Good morning from Bleki… :)... always present on the court #1 to welcome the players and supervise with one eye on their work ;)...

... and here is a very special morning warm up – “KOCKE” game for Miso...

Deni, Neven and Miro started as per tradition at 6 AM… but both Deni and Neven are pleased to give a hand to Miso to warm up before his class…

...as the ancient Greek Plato said “the beginning is the most important part of any work”... and good warm up is very important in tennis… it helps to create discipline…

On the court #1 at the same time… Andjela and Silvia are on one side…

and Max keeps the other side…

...and behind Max there is Deni... these weeks was the best example for Matic, Neven, Miso, Andjela and other Smrikva guests of what an athlete should do on a daily basis…

... proper warm up and proper streching!!!....

... knowledge sharing at all the levels is another of the pillars of La Bottega philosophy…

...and here is Miso taking some moments of his time after streching to help Marko in learning some backhand basics :)...

in the afternoon… Deni and Neven kept working on various elements…

It takes years to learn strokes… it takes years to prepare physically… and the most important element takes years too… to learn to play the game… o yes… play the game…

and here is Miro taking notes… ;)...

... and a bit of fun is always required… the actors on the court are: Miso... Miro... Karlo and Neven...

An afternoon… Andjela had the opportunity to play a bit with both Neven...

and Deni...

it is always nice and inspiring to hear incouraging words from the more developed players :)...

... it makes more easy to keep improving the game day after day… ;)

“Exercitatio optimus magister est” – Tacitus

10/08/13

Few days ago Miomir KECMANOVIC, Smrikva Bowl player and "La Bottega" di Smrikve visiting friend, arrived... and yesterday night also Andjela SKROBONJA, another Smrikva Bowl girl and "La Bottega" di Smrikve visiting student just arrived...

O yes… let’s start another Smirkva story with the Common Sense story ;)... that old friend… knowing when to come in out of the rain; why the early bird gets the worm; Life isn’t always fair; and maybe it was my fault…

Repeating good habits every day creates discipline… and that’s always a good start ;)...

Neven keep taking the worm of the first Sun every morning…and the sound of his balls is like a wake up call for Smrikve…

Common Sense lived by simple and reliable strategies (adults, not children, are in charge)...

... and in every teacher or friend you can find a bit of Common Sense… and here is Sinisa for Neven...

... and Tanja for Miso.. ;)...

Tanja seems to like Ana Ivanovic’s moto never stop smiling :))...

It is always a pleasure to see Smrikva Bowl kids in Smrikve… and to appreciate their development while away from Smrikve… and Miso keeps developing his skills… and keeps surprising every time he return and share his new abilities…

...”There is no try” a wise teacher ones upon a time said… “Do! or do not”... and as you can read on Miso’s t-shirt… he seems decided to JUST DO IT ;)....

... both Silvia and especially Max takes the summer opportunity to play a bit more tennis than during the school time…

... few days ago also Svetlana, Olga Danilovic’s mother – 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 winner, was traveling through Istria and made us a visit…

It is always a pleasure to hear about Smrikva seeds growing around the World…

... and every day Neven try to do a little step further… there seems to exist the road called… physically prepared – mentally strong… hm.. ;)

and Miso knows something about it :)...

... 1 on 1… cross vs. long line… + over 5 minutes of doing it…

... not easy… but if it was easy everybody would have been able to do it ;)....

... Miso in action…

and late at night Andjela Skrobonja with her family arrived to Smrikve… for some battery charge… swimming and good food ;)....

08/08/13

Top Smrikva Bowl and "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl players on ATP, WTA, ITF and European under 14 and 16 ranking lists (update August 2013)

Former top Smrikva Bowl players that reached certain results on the professional ranking list are mentioned below and the top Smrikva Bowl players that are still competing…

As of 8th of August 2013 the ranking summary of the very TOP former Smrikva Bowl boys and girls is the following:

• 7 players TOP 400 WTA

Donna VEKIC – 2003-2005 player – #65 WTA
Petra MARTIC – 2001 winner – #97 WTA
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC – 2002 runner up – 2003 semif.- # 132 WTA
Tereza MRDEZA – 2000 winner – #186 WTA
Belinda BENCIC – 2006 player – 329#
Ana KONJUH – 2007 runner up – #330 WTA
Olga IANCHUK – 2005 runner up – #385 WTA

• 4 players TOP 400 ATP

Javier MARTI – 2002 winner – #196 ATP
Dominic THIEM – 2003 winner – #221 ATP
Dino MARCAN – 2001 runner up – #382 ATP
Gianluigi QUINZI – 2006 winner – # 385 ATP

• 6 boys and 10 girls… in total 16 players are in TOP 100 ITF

BOYS:

#3 Gianluigi QUINZI – Junior WIMBLEDON 2013 winner

#4 Nikola MILOJEVIC

#5 Laslo DJERE

#6 Borna CORIC

#76 Franko MIOCIC

#84 Matteo DONATI

GIRLS:

#1 Belinda BENCIC – Junior ROLAND GARROS 2013 and Junior WIMBLEDON 2013 winner

#2 Ana KONJUH – Junior AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2013 winner

#18 Nina STOJANOVIC

#21 Christina MAKAROVA

#33 Katie BOULTER

#43 Ivana JOROVIC

#55 Jana FETT

#56 Ilka CSOREGI

#97 Chiara GRIMM

#99 Bianka BEKEFI

• 2 girls are in TOP 10 ETA under 16 – (Belinda BENCIC #1, Ana KONJUH #2)

• 2 boys are in TOP 10 ETA under 14 – (Samuele RAMAZZOTTI #2, Miomir KECMANOVIC #4)

BOYS
Vilim VISAK, 1st Smrikva Bowl 1996 winner, from Croatia. Vilim’s best ranking was #612 in March 2006.

GIRLS
Ivana LISJAK, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, from Croatia. Ivana’s best ranking was #95 on WTA list in June 2006.

Astrid BESSER, 4th Smrikva Bowl 1999 winner, from Italy. Atrid’s best ranking was #356 on WTA list in March 2009.

Tereza MRDEZA, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, from Croatia, is currently ranked #186 on WTA list.

2001 – 6th Smrikva Bowl was the last year with dominance of the top national players…

BOYS
Marin DRAGANJA, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #629 on ATP ranking list.
Dino MARCAN, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #382 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Petra MARTIC, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #97 on WTA list. Petra’s best raning is #42 on WTA list as of June 2012.

IN 2002 SMRIKVA BOWL STARTED TO BE A EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP

2002 – 7th Smrikva Bowl and 1st”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Javier MARTI, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Spain, is currently ranked #196 on ATP list.
Federico GAIO, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Italy, is currently ranked #666 on ATP list*.

GIRLS
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #132 on WTA list; best ranking was #145 on WTA list in November 2011.
Martina CAREGARO, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Italy, is ranked #553 on WTA ranking list; her best ranking was #370 on WTA list in October 2010.
Ema BURGIC, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, best ranking was #505 on WTA list in July 2010.

2003 – 8th Smrikva Bowl and 2nd”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Dominic THIEM, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Austria, is ranked #221 on ATP ranking list.
George MORGAN, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #962 on ATP ranking list.
Ciprian PORUMB, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Romenia, is ranked #2013 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #132 on WTA list* best ranking was #145 on WTA list in November 2011.
Silvia NJIRIC, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #715 on WTA list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Emmett EGGER, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is not ranked yet on ATP list.

2004 – 9th Smrikva Bowl and 3rd”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Miki JANKOVIC, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #660 on ATP ranking list.
Filip VEGER, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 semifinalist, from Croatia, is ranked #650 on ATP ranking list.
Danil ZELENKOV, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 player, from FYR Macedonia, is ranked #1838 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia. Her best ranking was # 559 on WTA ranking list in June 2012.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Mitchel POLNET, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, not ranked on ATP ranking list.

Blair SHANKLE, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, is ranked #828 on WTA ranking list

IN 2005 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM 3 CONTINENTS

2005 – 10th Smrikva Bowl and 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Matteo DONATI, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Italy, is ranked #890 on ATP list.
Laslo DJERE, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #5 on ITF ranking list (TOP 10 ITF) and is ranked 654 on ATP list.
Gianluigi QUINZI, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Italy, is ranked #3 on ITF ranking list (TOP 10 ITF) and is ranked #385 on ATP list.
Nikola MILOJEVIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation tournament winner, from Serbia, is ranked #4 on ITF ranking list (TOP 10 ITF).
Borna CORIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, is ranked #6 on ITF ranking list (TOP 10 ITF) and is ranked #753 on ATP list.
Luka ILIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Serbia, is ranked #1020 on ATP ranking list.
Franko MIOCIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, is ranked #76 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF).

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia. Her best ranking was # 559 on WTA ranking list in June 2012.
Olga IANCHUK, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Ukraine, is ranked #385 on WTA list.
Irina Maria BARA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Romania, is ranked #777 on WTA ranking list.
Donna VEKIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, is ranked #65 on WTA list.
Iva MEKOVEC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, is ranked #570 on WTA list.
Camilla ROSATELLO, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Italy, is ranked #636 on WTA list.
Jana FETT, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Croatia, is ranked #55 on ITF ranking list.

Dorothy TANG, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is not ranked on ITF ranking list.

2006 – 11th Smrikva Bowl and 5th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Gianluigi QUINZI, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Italy, is ranked #3 on ITF ranking list (TOP 10 ITF) and is ranked #385 on ATP list.
Andre BIRO, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 semifinalist, from Hungary, is ranked #153 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Eleanor DEAN, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is not ranked on ITF ranking list.
Ilka CSOREGI, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 semifinalists, from Romania, is ranked #56 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF) and is ranked #847 on WTA list.
Dea HERDZELAS, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 quarterfinalists, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #266 on ITF ranking list, and is ranked #895 on WTA list.
Belinda BENCIC, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006, from Switzerland, is ranked #1 on ITF ranking list (TOP 10 ITF) and is ranked #329 on WTA list
Giulia PAIRONE, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006, from Italy, is ranked #121 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF) and is ranked #928 on WTA list.
Nina STOJANOVIC, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006, from Serbia, is ranked #18 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF)

Christina MAKAROVA, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #21 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF), and is ranked #920 on WTA ranking list.
Gabriella UMOQUIT, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is not ranked #338 on ITF ranking list.

2007 – 12th Smrikva Bowl and 6th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Sacha MERZETTI, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 winner, from Italy, is ranked #1326 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Bogdan BORZA, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #67 in Europe in under 16 cathegory and is ranked #443 on ITF ranking list.
Gonzalo MORELL, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Spain, is ranked #289 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Sergiu BUCUR, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Romania, is ranked #822 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Ana KONJUH, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #2 in Europe in under 16 cathegory and #2 on ITF ranking list (TOP 10 ITF) and # 330 on WTA list.
Nina POTOCNIK, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Slovenia, is ranked #147 on ITF ranking list.
Ivana JOROVIC, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 player, from Serbia, is ranked #43 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF) and is ranked # 670 on WTA list.
Jazzi PLEWS, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 player, from UK, is ranked #222 on ITF ranking list
Bianka BEKEFI, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 player, from Hungary, is ranked #99 on ITF ranking list

“Little Mo” TEAM
Eduardo NAVA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #815 on ITF ranking list.
Tommy PAUL, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #171 on ITF ranking list.

Ndindi NDUNDA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #555 on ITF ranking list.
Domonique GARLEY, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is not ranked on ITF ranking list.

IN 2008 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM 5 CONTINENTS AND TURNED INTO A WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

2008 – 13th Smrikva Bowl and 7th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

GIRLS
Katarina JOKIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #290 on ITF ranking list.
Maia LUMSDEN, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Scotland, is ranked #227 on ITF ranking list.
Viktoria KUZMOVA, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovakia, is ranked #152 on ITF ranking list.
Estela Perez-Somarriba, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Spain, is ranked #952 on under 16 european ranking list.
Olga FRIDMAN, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 player, from Ukraine, is ranked #141 on ITF ranking list.
Nikolina JOVIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 player, from Serbia, is ranked #270 on ITF ranking list.
Gabriella Patricia TAYLOR, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 player, from UK, is ranked #181 on ITF ranking list.
Marija CURNIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 player, from Croatia, is ranked #576 on ITF ranking list.

IN 2009 SMRIKVA BOWL HAD 6 NEW COUNTRIES AND 1 NEW CONTINENT THUS REACHED THE TOTAL OF 40 COUNTRIES AND 6 CONTINENTS THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE TOURNAMENT SINCE ITS FOUNDATION

2009 – 14th Smrikva Bowl and 8th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Alvaro REGALADO PEDROL, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winner, from Spain, is ranked #219 in under 14 european ranking.
Samuele RAMAZZOTTI, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 runner up, from Italy, is ranked #2 in under 14 european ranking (TOP 10 ETA U14).
Karlo SUEVICH, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Slovenia, is ranked #106 in under 14 european ranking.
Alejandro DAVIDOVICH, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Spain, is ranked #483 in under 14 european ranking.
Miomir KECMANOVIC, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 quarterfinalist and “La Bottega di Smrikve” visiting student, from Serbia, is ranked #4 in under 14 european ranking (TOP 10 ETA U14).
Alexei POPYRIN, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 Consolation Draw
winner, from Australia, is ranked #17 in under 14 european ranking (TOP 10 ETA u14).
Max STEWART, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from UK, is ranked #15 in under 14 european ranking.

GIRLS
Katie SWAN, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winner, from United Kingdom, is ranked #156 in under 14 european ranking.
Jovana VUKOVIC – JOKA, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #47 in under 14 european ranking.
Inci OGUT, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Turkey, is ranked #48 in under 14 european ranking.
Arianna CAPOGROSSO, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Italy, is ranked #21 in under 14 european ranking.

IN 2010 SMRIKVA BOWL HAD 9 NEW COUNTRIES AND REACHED THE TOTAL OF 49 COUNTRIES THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE TOURNAMENT SINCE ITS FOUNDATION

2010 – 15th Smrikva Bowl and 9th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Nicola KUHN, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 winner, from Spain, is ranked #83 in under 14 european ranking.
Karlo SUEVICH, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #106 in under 14 european ranking.
Yshai OLIEL, ranked 3rd on 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010, from Israel, is ranked #12 in under 14 european ranking.
Andrei Taica RADU, ranked 3rd on 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010, from Romania, is ranked #186 in under 14 european ranking.
Matic PODLIPNIK, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 player and “La Bottega di Smrikve” visiting student, from Slovenia, is ranked #373 in under 14 european ranking.

GIRLS
Jovana VUKOVIC – JOKA, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #47 in under 14 european ranking.
Paula ARIAS MANJON, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 runner up, from Spain, is ranked #293 in under 14 european ranking.
Neli SUNJIC, ranked 3rd on 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010, from Croatia, is ranked #64 in under 14 european ranking.
Kristina NOVAK, ranked 3rd on 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010, from Slovenia, is ranked #273 in under 14 european ranking.

Daria SOLOVYEVA – DASHA, La Bottega di Smrikve visiting student 2011-2013, from Russia, is ranked #54 in under 14 european ranking.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Max MOTLAGH, played 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is too young for the ITF ranking list.

IN 2011 SMRIKVA BOWL HAD 4 NEW COUNTRIES AND REACHED THE TOTAL OF 53 COUNTRIES THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE TOURNAMENT SINCE ITS FOUNDATION

2011 – 16th Smrikva Bowl

2012 – 17th Smrikva Bowl

IN 2013 SMRIKVA BOWL HAD 5 NEW COUNTRIES AND REACHED THE TOTAL OF 62 COUNTRIES THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE TOURNAMENT SINCE ITS FOUNDATION...

2013 – 18th Smrikva Bowl

06/08/13

Matic PODLIPNIK, Smrikva Bowl player and "La Bottega" di Smrikve visiting friend, got the Smrikva Bowl 2013 edition hat before departing :)...

“If you want to build a ship, don’t drum up people to collect wood and don’t assign them tasks and work, but rather teach them to long for the endless immensity of the sea.” – Antoine de Saint-Exupery…

... and Bleki is always there to help in relaxing… and teaching on his own way… ;)...

... not only Bleki… but also Deni...

... and Neven... teach by example!

... and Matic knows something about it… ;)... how is to relax and run with them and Sinisa for 45 minutes…

and this time… the relax, good food, swimming and smiling was combined in fine tuning two little things for Matic… and to fine tune after understanding it.. the repeating is a must… ;)

On departure day… with 100 forehands incorporating the little i-tune… and 50 serves made with the little i-tune too… worth a hat for Matic…

... and here is Matic concentrating to get ready for the challenge ;)...

...the marks on the red clay shows the progress on forehand in series of 35 strokes… very high percentage of success…

and the second part was dedicated to the serve…

i-tune was 50 times in the serve…

The hat was conquered… and many little family memories of nice moments spent together stored again… :)

03/08/13

Daria Solovyeva - Dasha, "La Bottega" di Smrikve visiting player, last week played the finals of an ETA under 14 tournament and won doubles... and this week she won the LBS-Cup Waiblingen 2013 (U14 cat 2 TE Tournament) played in Germany

La Bottega di Smrikve is a natural development of the story started in 1996 when the Smrikva Bowl tennis talents story began…

During the Renaissance period La Bottega (the art and craft workshop) was the nursery site for the formation of the artists… and was probably the source of the Renaissance itself…

Inside La Bottega we can imagine pupils, still children, that began to take their first steps into the world of art… growing their talent side by side with the greatest artists that later on made history…

... and the Renaissance workshop was not limited to being a fine school of design (the same as our tennis school is not a simple fine school of tennis) but has served as a cultural center in which the philosophy and scientific knowledge merged with the artistic technique…

Dasha’s road towards the finals at LBS-Cup Waiblingen 2013 (under 14 – cat 2, Tennis Europe Tournament) played in Germany was the following:

Daria SOLOVYEVA (Rus) – La Bottega di Smrikve 2011-2013

1st round: Daria SOLOVYEVA – Annalisa C. TURTL (Ger) 6:0,6:0
2nd round: Daria SOLOVYEVA -Jacqueline BOEPPLE (Ger) 6:2,6:2
3rd round: D. SOLOVYEVA – Holly THOMPSON (Uk) 6:3, 6:3
Quarterfinals: D. SOLOVYEVA – Tamara ARNOLD (Sui) 3:6,7:5,6:3
Semifinals: Daria SOLOVYEVA – Emily APPLETON (Uk) 6:3, 6:2
Finals: Daria SOLOVYEVA – Lea ROMAIN (Fra) 6:3, 7:6

.... and the week before Dasha’s road towards the finals at Swiss Junior Trophy 2013 (under 14 – cat 3, Tennis Europe Tournament) played in Switzerland – Oberentfelden was the following:

1st round: Daria SOLOVYEVA – Johanna KENDE (Ger) 6:1, 6:4
2nd round: Daria SOLOVYEVA -Janina SCHEFFBUCH (Ger) 7:5,6:1
Quarterfinals: SOLOVYEVA – N.M. PALMGREN (Swe) 3:6,6:3,6:0
Semifinals: D. SOLOVYEVA – Eva Marie VORACEK (Ger) 6:1, 6:1
Finals: Daria SOLOVYEVA – C.SCHULTHEISS (Ger) 4:6, 5:7

01/08/13

Dominic THIEM, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, wins the Austrian duel at ATP Tournament in Kutzbuhel (bet-at-home Cup 2013) against Jurgen Melzer and reach the quarterfinals

It was a pleasure to learn that Dominic Thiem, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, reached his first ATP quarterfinals…

The Organizational Team had to open up the top gallery of the centre court –the last time they had to do so was nine years ago. One of the reasons for the great demand was the Austrian duel Thiem vs. Melzer. The 19 year old Dominic Thiem could beat his idol 7:5 and 5:3.

That is the biggest success of Dominic Thiems career to play in a quarter finals of an ATP tournament. “I do not really realize it yet. Unbelievable. I was pretty confident at the beginning and could hold up to this until the 5:0 then I got a little nervous. But at the end everything worked out pretty good, also the spectators where fair. I like Kitzbühel –at the moment everything is just perfect.” the 19year old Dominic said.

Dominic’s road towards the quarterfinals of the Kutzbuhel 2013 ATP Tournament was the following:

1st round: Dominic Thiem – Andrey Kuznetsov (Rus) 6:2, 7:5
2nd round: Dominic Thiem – Jurgen Melzer (Aut) 7:5, 6:3
Quarterfinals: Dominic Thiem – Albert Montanes (Esp) 4:6, 3:6

The ranking of the players played or to be played are the following:

Andrey Kuznetsov (Rus) – #82 ATP
Jurgen Melzer (Aut) – #34 ATP
Albert Montanes (Esp) – #45 ATP

31/07/13

Matic PODLIPNIK, Smrikva Bowl player, joined "La Bottega" di Smrikve few days ago...

Matic PODLIPNIK played this year the finals of the Slovenian National Championship under 14 and few days ago he came to visit for a week time “La Bottega”... rest a bit with tennis and the sea :)

Summer time is always very busy at “La Bottega” and full of tennis talents… an opportunity to see good tennis… and here are Mario and Miro enjoying the afternoon and ready to support two past Smrikva Bowl players and today extraordinary players…

Neven and Deni... that afternoon they made the training with the Smrikva Bowl 2013 songs compilation… :)

Deni is playing tennis at US college… and a week ago he played qualifications of the ATP UMAG… and here is Neven following the rhythm of the song…

On the court number one little kids played also following the notes of this year Smrikva Bowl compilation… and for Charlize this was her last lesson before departing for Greece…

And on the picture below you see few other members of the summer 2013 dream team… Stefo, Tara and Nina :)...

Charlize departured… and…

Matic PODLIPNIK arrived :)...

... the same night Matic had the opportunity to meet and play tennis with boys who’s family members are quite famous musicians… it was the night of tennis, grill and music :)...

... and there is a say… that “the early bird gets the worm”... and at 5:30 AM… Deni and Neven were already on the courts… waking up the rest of the Smrikve with the sound of the balls…

Matic joined the courts at 8 AM…

with Max... Max dressed that morning the t-shirt received in UMAG from Mate Pavic ;)... UMAG is Max always an opportunity to get some precious items from the players…

... yesterday also Petar Hrncic left Smrikve with his family… and hope to see them next year with Srki and his talents…