News

10/07/12

Top Smrikva Bowl and "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl players on ATP, WTA, ITF, USTA and European under 14 and 16 ranking lists (update July 2012)

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 11th of July 2012 the ranking summary of the very TOP former Smrikva Bowl boys and girls is the following:

• 1 player TOP 50 WTA (Petra Martic – 2001 winner)
• 1 player TOP 200 ATP (Javier Marti – 2002 winner)
• 6 boys and 8 girls… in total 14 players are in TOP 100 ITF
• 2boys and 3 girls are in TOP 10 ETA under 16
• 4 girls are in TOP 10 ETA under 14

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.

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 #194 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 #1020 on ATP ranking list.
Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #289 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Petra MARTIC, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #48 on WTA list (TOP 100 WTA). Petra’s best raning is #42 on WTA list as of June 2012.
Indire Akiki, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #406 on WTA list.

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 #176 on ATP list.
Giacomo Miccini, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Italy, was ranked #1054 on ATP list in May 2009.

GIRLS
Martina Caregaro, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Italy, is ranked #418 on WTA ranking list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #230 on WTA list.
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 #497 on ATP ranking list. Junior ROLAND GARROS 2011 finalist, Eddie Herr International and Junior Orange Bowl under 18 winner.
George MORGAN, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #650 on ATP ranking list. Junior US OPEN 2011 semifinalist.
Ciprian PORUMB, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Romenia, was ranked #1620 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Jennifer Ren, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Great Britain, not currently ranked on WTA list.
Silvia NJIRIC, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #486 on WTA list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #230 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
Ivan Levar, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #748 on ITF ranking list.
Miki JANKOVIC, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #906 on ATP ranking list.
Filip VEGER, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 semifinalist, from Croatia, is ranked #114 on ITF ranking list and is ranked #904 on ATP ranking list.
Danil ZELENKOV, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 player, from FYR Macedonia, is ranked #153 on ITF ranking list and is ranked #1415 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #613 on WTA ranking list

“Little Mo” TEAM
Mitchel POLNET, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #811 on ITF ranking list, and is ranked #1620 on ATP ranking list.

Blair SHANKLE, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #108 on ITF 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 #30 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF) and is ranked #1244 on ATP list.
Laslo DJERE, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #63 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF).
Gianluigi QUINZI, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Italy, is ranked #4 on ITF ranking list (TOP 10 ITF) and is ranked #1011 on ATP list.
Nikola MILOJEVIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation tournament winner, from Serbia, is ranked #7 on ITF ranking list (TOP 10 ITF).
Borna CORIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, is ranked #24 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF) and is ranked #1355 on ATP list.
Luka ILIC, , 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Serbia, is ranked #111 on ITF ranking list.
Franko MIOCIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, is ranked #79 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #613 on WTA ranking list.
Olga IANCHUK, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Ukraine, is ranked #495 on WTA list.
Irina Maria BARA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Romania, is ranked #65 on ITF ranking list.
Donna VEKIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, is ranked #232 on WTA list.
Iva MEKOVEC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, is ranked #725 on WTA list.
Camilla ROSATELLO, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Italy, is ranked #56 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF).

“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 #4 on ITF ranking list (TOP 10 ITF) and is ranked #1022 on ATP list.

GIRLS
Eleanor DEAN, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is ranked #76 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF).
Ilka CSOREGI, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 semifinalists, from Romania, is ranked #25 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF)
Belinda BENCIC, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006, from Switzerland, is ranked #13 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 #38 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100 ITF).
Gabriella Umoquit, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is not ranked 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 #158in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Bogdan BORZA, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #14 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Gonzalo MORELL, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Spain, is ranked #256 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Sergiu BUCUR, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Romania, is ranked #195 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.

GIRLS
Ana KONJUH, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #3 in Europe in under 16 cathegory (TOP 10 TE U16) and is ranked #11 on ITF ranking list.
Nina POTOCNIK, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Slovenia, is ranked #72 in Europe in under 16 cathegory and is ranked #194 on ITF ranking list.
Ivana JOROVIC, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 player, from Serbia, is ranked #12 in Europe in under 16 cathegory, and is ranked #91 on ITF ranking list (TOP 100).

“Little Mo” TEAM
Eduardo NAVA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #787 on ITF ranking list.
Tommy PAUL, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #805 on ITF ranking list.

Ndindi NDUNDA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #981 on ITF ranking list.
Domonique Garley, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #2017 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 #198 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Mihnea TURCU, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #497 in Europe in under 14 european ranking list.
Grega KOKALJ, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovenia, is ranked #143 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Andrea Guerrieri, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Italy, is ranked #283 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

GIRLS
Katarina JOKIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #30 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Maia LUMSDEN, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Scotland, is ranked #1 in Europe in under 14 cathegory (TOP 10 TE U14).
Viktoria KUZMOVA, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovakia, is ranked #5 in Europe in under 14 cathegory (TOP 10 TE U14).
Estela Perez-Somarriba, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Spain, is ranked #563 on under 14 european ranking list.
Olga FRIDMAN, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 player, from Ukraine, is ranked #2 in Europe in under 14 cathegory (TOP 10 TE U14).
Nikolina JOVIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 player, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #25 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Gabriella PATRICIA TAYLOR, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 player, from UK, is ranked #8in Europe in under 14 cathegory (TOP 10 TE U14).
Marija CURNIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 player, from UK, is ranked #13 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

“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 too young for the ITF ranking list.

Ingrid NEEL, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is too young for the 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 #160 in under 14 european ranking.
Samuele RAMAZZOTTI, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 runner up, from Italy, is ranked #34 in under 14 european ranking.
Karlo SUEVICH, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Slovenia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Alejandro DAVIDOVICH, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Spain, is ranked #436 in under 14 european ranking.
Miomir KECMANOVIC, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 quarterfinalist, from Serbia, is ranked #16 in under 14 european ranking.
Alexei POPYRIN, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 Consolation Draw
winner, from Australia, is ranked #116 in under 14 european ranking.

GIRLS
Katie SWAN, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winner, from United Kingdom, is ranked #101 in under 14 european ranking.
Jovana VUKOVIC – JOKA, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 runner up, from Serbia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Inci OGUT, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Turkey, is ranked #49 in under 14 european ranking.
Arianna CAPOGROSSO, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Italy, is ranked #131 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 too young for under 14 european ranking.
Karlo SUEVICH, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 runner up, from Croatia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Yshai OLIEL, ranked 3rd on 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010, from Israel, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Andrei Taica Radu, ranked 3rd on 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010, from Romania, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

GIRLS
Jovana VUKOVIC, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 winner, from Serbia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Paula Arias Manjon, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 runner up, from Spain, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Neli SUNJIC, ranked 3rd on 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010, from Croatia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Kristina NOVAK, ranked 3rd on 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010, from Italy, is too young for 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.

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.

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.

10/07/12

Selected photos of the 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 edition are available in the photo gallery...

Click here and visit selected pictures of the 17^th Smrikva Bowl 2012 edition :)

04/07/12

Smrikva Bowl players on Junior Wimbledon 2012... Gianluigi Quinzi reached the semifinals... Donna Vekic, Ana Konjuh and Nikola Milojevic reached the quarterfinals... in doubles finals were: Donati, Konjuh and Bencic

Last Saturday the Smrikva Bowl finals were played and Himari Sato won the girls draw…

...I would like to start the Junior Wimbledon story of today with Himari, Koshiba, Kaoru and Toru... the Japanese 2012 Smrikva Bowl team :)

... the finals were played on Saturday but Himari and Koshiba stayed with their coaches for few days more in Smrikve thus we took the opportunity to visit Pula and Rovinj…

... I learned during last week that Himari means Sunflower... but I also learned few more words that made Koshiba, Himari and Kaoru smile a lot ;))...

... on departure from Smrikve to Venice… a Japanese coach smiled and made a wish… and with that wish for Smrikva kids I would like to start todays’ Wimbledon results report :)...

There were several Smrikva Bowl players that I noted competing in the Main Draw of this year Junior Wimbledon 2012… actually the exact number is 10… :)...

... 10 out of 128 were at the beginning… and in the quarterfinals there were 4 out of 16… in the semifinals there was 1 out of 8 :)

In the following you can read more detailed results related to former Smrikva Bowl players on this year Junior Wimbledon 2012 played in London this week:

Boys:

Gianluigi Quinzi (ITA) – 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner
1st round: Gianluigi Quinzi – Hassan Ndayishimiye (BDI) 6:3,6:1
2nd round: Gianluigi Quinzi – Christian Garin (CHI) 6:1, 6:7, 8:6
3rd round: Gianluigi Quinzi – Julien Cagnina (BEL) 6:1, 3:1 ret.
Quarterfinals: Gianluigi Quinzi – Nick Kyrgios (AUS) 6:3, 6:1
Semifinals: Gianluigi Quinzi – Luke Saville (AUS) 3:6, 4:6

Nikola Milojevic (SRB) – 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 consolation draw winner
1st round: Nikola Milojevic – Gabriel Friedrich (BRA) 5:7, 6:4, 6:4
2nd round: Nikola Milojevic – Matteo Donati (ITA) 7:5, 6:4
3rd round: N. Milojevic – Thai-Son Kwiatkowski (USA) 4:6,6:3,6:2
Quarterfinals: Nikola Milojevic – Luke Saville (AUS) 5:7, 4:5 ret.

Matteo Donati (ITA) – 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner
1st round: Matteo Donati – Mikael Torpegaard (DEN) 6:4, 4:6, 6:2
2nd round: M.Donati – Nikola Milojevic (SRB) 5:7, 4:6

Borna Coric (CRO) – 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player
1st round: Borna Coric – Juan Ignacio Galarza (ARG) 6:3, 6:1
2nd round: Borna Coric – Mitchell Krueger (USA) 3:6, 6:7

Girls:

Donna Vekic (CRO) – Smrikva Bowl player
1st round: Donna Vekic – Christina Makarova (USA) 6:2, 6:3
2nd round: Donna Vekic – Ioana Loredana Rosca (ROU) 6:4, 6:2
3rd round: Donna Vekic – Indy De Vroome (NED) 6:3, 5:7, 6:2
Quarterfinals: Donna Vekic – Francoise Abanda (CAN) 3:6,4:6

Ana Konjuh (CRO) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up
1st round: Ana Konjuh – Erin Routliffe (CAN) 6:4, 6:3
2nd round: Ana Konjuh – Oleksandra Korashvili (UKR) 7:5, 6:2
3rd round: Ana Konjuh – Montserrat Gonzalez (PAR) 6:4, 6:4
Quarterfinals: Ana Konjuh – Anett Kontaveit (EST) 0:6, 4:6

Belinda Bencic(SUI) – 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 player
1st round: Belinda Bencic – Emily Fanning (NZL) 6:1, 6:3
2nd round: Belinda Bencic – Indy De Vroome (NED) 6:7,6:4,5:7

Christina Makarova (USA) – “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl player
1st round: Christina Makarova – Donna Vekic (CRO) 2:6, 3:6

Ilka Csoregi(ROU) – 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 semifinalists
1st round: Ilka Csoregi – Sachia Vickery (USA) 3:6, 2:6

Iva Mekovec(CRO) – 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player
1st round: Iva Mekovec – Barbora Krejcikova (CZE) 5:7, 2:6

01/07/12

Some pictures of the 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 actors :)... taken during the Sixth and Final day of their Smrikva Bowl... the AWARDING day... and the cake and swimming pool day :)

The Finals and Awarding cerimony day of the 17th annual started with the Staff gathering…

Smrikva Bowl finals are played since 1996 with linesman and ball boys… and at 8:30 AM everything was ready for the final act of this year 17 Smrikva Bowl 2012 Opera… :)

This year ball boys were Smrikva Bowl players’ and their brothers and sisters… Sara, Sean, Andrijana, Anja, Julie, Maja, Anja, Alexa and two Tess’ brothers… and they did outstanding assistance to the finalists… arigato! ;)

At 9:00 AM the central court was ready for the Girls Main Draws finalist Luise Meyer Auf der Heide from Germany and Himari Sato from Japan…

… few minutes before steping into the court the picture with flowers was made… and Luise had Sara on her side, while Himari had Maja… :)

… the official umpire Damir is giving the final instructions to Himari and Luise… and the game was ready to start…

… here below is Himari in action…

… although Himari writes with left hand she learned to play tennis with right hand… ;)…

… “Truly wonderful the mind of a child is.”… :)… “HI” ;)

… Luisa serving…

… and today for very little… Himari’s calm helped her to make just few points more than Luise… it was very nice and hard finals match…

Himari was happy… but also her coach Kaolu and Himari’s biggest friend that I know Koshiba were very happy for her victory :)…

… and Luisa after being so close to the victory… ten minutes after the finals… she returned her smile on her face!…

… she showed great tennis ability in her game… but was hard to overcome stressfull situations that every match creates and especially the finals… these are little things that made the difference today… but it is also an opportunity to learn from… ;)

… after girls finals… the boys were ready…

… Sebastian Gima from Romania and Goran Zivotic from Serbia… assisted with Anja and Alexa…

… the picture was taken just few seconds before they steped into the central court…

… Sebastian left hand forehand… perfect timing… and great feel for the ball… is great promisse for the future…

…but today Goran’s calm and excellent game on his side helped him to obtain the victory…

The awarding cerimony started right after the finals :)…

… and few players had to leave thus after recalling…

Aley Ehab Shokeir from Egypt who was already on his trip back home who reached the semifinals of the Consolation Draw…

Lovro Suevich from Croatia who also reached the semifinals of the Consolation Draw and was already playing another tournament in northern Croatia…

Viktor Jovic from Serbia, living in UAE, who was on his road to Spain… who reached the semifinals of the Main Draw…

… and Zoe Kruger from Republic of South Africa who was on her trip back home… and she reached the semifinals of the Main Draw…

… the awarding cerimony started with the winners of the game “IGRA” :)… thus first trophies were taken by Drazen Petrovic and Fedor Popovic… from Bosnia and Herzegovina…

… the first girls Consolation Draw trophy for the semifinals was given to Francesca Curmi from Malta…

… the second Consolation Draw trophy for the semifinals too was given to Andrijana Dragic from Bosnia and Herzegovina…

… the runner up trophy of the Consolation Draw was obtained by Tess Demin from the Netherlands…

… and the winners trophy for the girls Consolation Draw was given to Mille Elsborg from Denmark…

… the remaining trophies for the boys Consolation Draw was given to the runner up and the winner…

… the runner up of this year edition was Samuele Pieri from Italy…

… while the winner was Uros Jovic from Serbia…

… than the trophies of the girls Main Draw were given…

… the semifinals trophy of the girls Main Draw was gained by Pia Lovric from Slovenia…

… while the runner up trophy of the girls Main Draw was obtained by Luisa Meyer Auf der Heide from Germany… Luis also had a cap signed and donated by Ana Ivanovic :)

… while the winners trophy for the girls Main Draw was taken by Himari Sato from Japan…

… Himari as winner also get as prize: the bicycle :)… one week training award at Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Paris… possibility to get international Wilson contract… Ana Ivanovic signed skirt :)… and Main Draw wild card for the next year Porto San Giorgio edition… an important European under 12 tournament played in Italy…

… than the trophies of the boys Main Draw were given…

… the semifinals trophy of the boys Main Draw was won by Ajdin Muharemovic from Bosnia and Herzegovina…

… and the runner ups trophy was taken by Sebastian Gima from Romania…

… while the winners tropy was taken by Goran Zivotic from Serbia…

… Goran the same as Himari also get prizes: the bicycle :)… one week training award at Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in Paris… possibility to get international Wilson contract… Ana Ivanovic signed skirt :)… and Main Draw wild card for the next year Porto San Giorgio edition… an important European under 12 tournament played in Italy…

… than the signing of the US OPEN Wilson ball… the first one I bought in New York in 1998 and was signed by all the winner since 1999 till 2009 while this one was donated by Justin Lee and with this year it holds 3 generations signature :)…

…Himari signing… in Kangi :)

… Goran signing :)…

… the winners picture :))… Himari and Goran… Japan and Serbia :)…

…for Goran yesterday was another learning experience… my father dedicated many years to teach generations of pilots how to fly supersonic planes… and yesterday in less than 30 seconds Goran was riding his bike :)…

… and here is Himari :)

… and after the beautiful and tasty cake…

…it was the awarding jump into the swimming pool for the players :))

… it was a great week… great tennis…

and THANK YOU ALL… FOR MAKING from the 17th ANNUAL… ANOTHER GOOD YEAR… :)

30/06/12

17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 Draws and Sixth Day finals results... the winners of the 17th Annual are... Himari Sato from Japan and Goran Životić from Serbia...

17^th Smrikva Bowl 2012 Draws and Results

30/06/12

Some pictures of the 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 actors :)... taken during the Fifth day of their Smrikva Bowl... the day when "IGRA" game winner were known... :))... and the day when the finalists of this year edition were known... the BRIONI day :)

Also the semifinals day started as usual with very early warm up of the players… following the old Common Sense saying “why the early bird gets the worm..” :)...

Zoe Kruger and Himari Sato were in the semifinals playing with Luisa Meyer and Pia Lovrič*... and at the end of the day… Himari and Luisa qualified for the finals…

... while in the boyd draw… Goran Životić was better today than Ajdin Muharemović....

... and Sebastian Gima was better than Viktor Jović today…

thus in the finals we will have Goran and Sebastian... while in the girls finals there will be Himari and Luisa...

... some players had flights scheduled… thus the first Consolation Draws trophy for the semifinals went to Egypt with Aley Ehab Shokeir... the first trophy to reach Egypt!... congratulations Aley and to his coach Bessa and the family too! :)

... the second Consolation Draws trophy for the semifinals went to Lovro Suevich... brother of Karlo... the same day Lovro had the inscription for a tournament in northern part of Croatia…

... on the other side also the Main Draw kids are moving to new destinations or going home… thus Viktor Jović... the Main Draw semifinalist… is going to Spain for two weeks and need to wash all the cloths quickly and go on… :)...

... and Zoe has to fly to Dubai and than to South Africa… thus also she had to take her Main Draw semifinals trophy :)....

... and yesterday was the day dedicated to BRIONI Excursion :)... the animals… the boat… the train… :))... nice day for kids…

... o yes… nice view… on a nice nice day… Totemone ACI... Hi :))

Brioni… the place worth visiting… and returning :)...

... for the old olive tree… :) hit by a tunder decades ago… big like a dinossaur… who left their footprints on the island… ;)

... for the Safari animals too :)...

... nice shadows in a hot summer time :))....

... Tito’s cadilac :)... boys like it ;)...

... an interesting note of Miroslav Krleža at the entrance of Tito’s and Paul Kupelweiser museum… but before going to the second floor for kids it was the natural museum the most beautiful part…

... can see pictures with some faces… flags… world map :)....

... in the evening before the IGRA winner was determined… the ball bays made a simulation for tomorrow :))...

... and IGRA trophies were ready to know who is going to bring them home…

... and Dražen Petrović and Fedor Popović...

... were little bit better today than Sebastian Gima and Peter Alam...

Dražen and Fedor... IGRA... :))

... and the supporters were there ;)...

... it was another long and nice day… and it is hard to know what will remain as feeling in the seeds of today… but I hope they will learn growing that…

...Anyone who imagines that all fruits ripen at the same time as
the strawberries knows nothing about grapes…. ;)

29/06/12

17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 Draws and Fifth Day results... the finalists of the 17th Annual are known...

17^th Smrikva Bowl 2012 Draws and Fourth Day Results

29/06/12

Some pictures of the 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 actors :)... taken during the fourth day of their Smrikva Bowl... the day when "IGRA" game continued... :))... and the day when the semifinalists were known...

The quarterfinals day started as usual with very early warm up of the players… following the old Common Sense saying “why the early bird gets the worm..” :)…

… and let’s see through the pictures the major actors of the day…

… the first picture shows Sarina Reinertsen from Norway in action…

… and she played with Luisa Meyer Auf der Heide from Germany… Luisa won today’s match and was the first morning semifinalist of the day…

… on the court number two… Matilde Paoletti from Italy was playing with Zoe Kruger from the Republic of South Africa…

… and Zoe was the second semifinalist of the day in the Main Draw…

… just to take a little break :)… a little bit of lavander and Sean Kamyshev among it… enjoying the game… and relaxing among the sweet smell of the lavander flowers ;)…

… on the court # 1 the second quarterfinals match was played between Himari Sato from Japan…

… and Charlotte Owensby from the United States…

… this time Himari won… and qualified as the third semifinalist of the day…

The last girls quarterfinals match was played between Helene Pellicano from Malta and Pia Lovrič from Slovenia…

… and Pia was the fourth semifinalist of the day…

… o yes… this is Pia again… :))….

… and the picture below with Himari and Zoe was taken just after the match… they are also “IGRA” partners :))…

… and here are Himari and Ke… how to describe the picture… maybe just with the saying… “the art of teaching”… comes from inside… where the inspiration lives… ;)

… on the court #2 Goran Životić from Serbia played the first boys quarterfinals with Michael Eala from Philippines…

… and this time Michael Eala did not pass into the semifinals… … maybe Alexa will continue to follow her brothers’ footprints… who knows :)…

… the second boys quarterfinals was played on the court #1 between Ajdin Muharemović from Bosnia and Herzegovina…

and Borna Devald from Croatia…

… in end Ajdin was better today… and he became the second semifinalist of the day…

… on the court #2 a very hard match was played between Viktor Jović, who is living and training in UAE, and… Lorenzo Mussetti from Italy…

… today Viktor won… and qualified into the semifinals of the 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 edition…

… the last boys quarterfinals of the Main Draw was played on the court #1 between Sebastian Gima, from Romania… and…

Mikolaj Lorens from Poland who lives and train in Spain… yesterday Mikolaj suffered an injury but did not want to give up… ;)…

… and today Sebastian Gima qualified into the semifinals…

… just a little breath before the “IGRA” starts… Max and Ari… Smrikva Bowl Staff Members :)…

… and after the morning matches… after launch… at 3:00 PM… it was agin time for the “IGRA” game… and here are just few actors of the second part of the day.. :)…

Jovana Tričković played with Sara Paunović…

… with Julie Belgraver and Demin Tess…

… the cheering of the public… music… made the matches particular :))…

… and now…

… just relax… with flowers… and butterflies ;)…

… sunset on Zoe’s face… and little little… very little racket :)…

…“IGRA”… again… till late afternoon :)…

… some of the actors :))… Zoe… Himari… Angel and Luciano… long game was that… girls won… ;)…

… and at the end of the day… it was time to enjoy few balls with Ke… thus have fun… fun not only for kids ;)… and after tennis… a funny Japaneese lesson :)…

… after another long day it is time to sleep :))… it is not African lion… but Smrikve lion ;))…

… today the semifinals will start at 8:00 AM and after the Brioni Island excursion the “IGRA” will continue :)…

28/06/12

17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 Draws and Fourth Day results... the semifinalists of the 17th Annual are known...

17^th Smrikva Bowl 2012 Draws and Fourth Day Results

28/06/12

Some pictures of the 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 actors :)... taken during the third day of their Smrikva Bowl... the day when they learned "IGRA" game... :))... and the quarterfinalists were known...

... there is a say… coming from Africa… and it say: “Every morning in Africa a gazelle wakes up and knows that it will have to outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed… And, every morning in Africa a lion wakes up and knows that it will have to outrun the slowest gazelle or it will starve to death…

... Thus, in Africa, it doesn’t matter if you are the lion or the gazelle. When that sun comes up, you had better be running.” ;)

Why I started the report of the third day with the above African say…?

It is because of Zoe… the inspiring girl who wakes up with Lions every morning in her native Africa :)...

...let’s start the day Zoe… Smrikve camera eye of the third day :))....

... o yes… the bicycles… the traditional gifts are still there nearby the draws board…

... and the third day was the day when we get to know the 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 quarterfinalists… and here are the names:
... Sarina Reinertsen from Norway…. Luisa Meyer Auf der Heide from Germany… Zoe M. Kruger from South Africa… Matilde Paoletti from Italy… Himari Sato from Japan… Charlotte Owensby from the United States of America… Helen Pellicano from Malta… Pia Lovrič from Slovenia… Borna Devald from Croatia… Ajdin Muharemović from Bosnia and Herzegovina… Michael Francis II M. Eala from Philippines… Goran Životić from Serbia… Sebastian Gima from Romenia… Mikolaj Lorens from Poland living in Spain… Viktor Jović from Serbia living in Dubai and Lorenzo Mussetti from Italy…

... while writing the above I noted that the 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 quarterfinalists are from: ... EUROPE… AFRICA… ASIA… OCEANIA… AND THE AMERICAS…

...hm… interesting… probably the word SMRIKVA BOWL AMBASSADORS explain part of the above… ;)

... it was a nice tennis but also funny day… with high quality matches…

... the day of “IGRA” game promissed to the kids on the signing day… :)

Let’s see some moments of the day throughout some of the actors of the 17th annual… starting with Emina and Avelyna... two girls training in Mostar… Bosnia and Russia… in the balance on the swing :)...

... while Staša and Iva... the flowers of tomorrow… are deeply occupied with Staša’s i-phone… :))

... Andrijana and Anja both succeeded to change their Wilson emoticon damper today… and they both elected those with smiles… it could be a good sign… choosing to be positive it does not cost a penny one wise man once said… ;))...

... and the sunny head you see in the middle of this picture… is Ziva... another great talent in development from Slovenia… and all around her is her support and friend team :)...

... and here are many Smrikva Bowl actors of this year edition :)... I am sure some of you may already recognize Julie... :))...

...two other boys with big smiles are Viktor and Lorenzo :))... there are also Tess... Alexa... Luciano... ;)...

... o yessssss :))... JULIE and TESS... :)...

... to avoid having only the actors… let’s see in a picture how the action looks like too… and here is Pia hitting her forehand… and her backhand remind me Blair Shankle’s backhand I saw in 2004 in Smrikve :)... baseball backhand… increadible power comes out when she does that :))...

... and to do great strokes you need balance… good balance… both with the body and mind… and on the picture below you may spot part of the source of Pia’s mind power… her mother and family :))...

... “deep look”... could be the name of below picture… picture of a sister of one of the actors of this year edition… coming from far far away… from an island…

... and today I had a pleasure to share a story with this young lady about personality... it was the story of an island and the sea... how big and deep going into the sea an island can be… :))

... a wise writer once noted how… “Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction….” :))... father and son…

... below is a picture of the game before the game… because the real game… we named “IGRA” started at 7:45 PM… :))....

... one hand backhand art made by Veronica :)... the backhand that remind last year Stefan’s one… :)... I enjoyed it!...

... and here is Sebastian with his left hand forehand in action… that helped him to reach the quarterfinals… :)

... another artist of this year edition is Lorenzo... a boy from Italy who won Lemon Bowl… and is moving on the court with his racket as a ballet dancer… seems Rudolf Nureyev with the racket… impressive… :)

... and here we are… close to the end of the day… when during the SMRIKVA BOWL FORUM… the game “IGRA” started… and you can see that four players are on the court… and kids’ lough made me think this was the GAME of the DAY... the real one :))...

at 10:00 PM it was time to turn off the ligths of the show…. time for kids to take shower and go to bed… get some rest to be prepared for the quarterfinals matches starting today at 9:00 AM

...today after the single matches the game “IGRA” will continue :))....

27/06/12

17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 Draws and Third Day results... the quarterfinalists of the 17th Annual are known...

17^th Smrikva Bowl 2012 Draws and Third Day Results

27/06/12

Some pictures of the 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 actors :)... taken during the second day of their Smrikva Bowl... the day when they became AMBASSADORS...

Yesterday a bit after 7:00 PM the Smrikva Bowl became Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors... and I would be pleased to walk you via pictures also today through the second day of the 17th annual…

... and let’s start the day with Julie’s serve... tennis game starts with the serve and let’s start the overview of the day with the following picture :)...

... Patrick Brady... is going to be our word in Thailand… and for his presence on this year Smrikva Bowl I should recall Borna Coric who was playing an ITF Tournament in Thailand… :)

... the ZAGI girls... Katarina, Melanie and Lora taken while enjoying the shadows of Smrikve before their matches… these girls are all lucky with their coach who loves tennis the way they do…

... the Tennis Club Spartak Moscow girl Maria Timofeeva with her father Gleb… the Larisa’s method story can be read in the eyes of this little great girl :)...

... every year from Romania, since Ciprian Porumb Junior played in 2003, we are honoured with great talents and this year it is Sebastian Gima who is showing on the courts what he learned… his talent development is guided by his father… who played tennis with Ciprian Porumb Senior :)...

...Staša and her mother, a good tennis player, after another victory… it is time for the smile… ;)

... Marija from Sweeden also can not hide her emotions after passing into third round…

The first thing I saw after the victory is when she received the hug of her father and than this is the smile I catched after… :))...

... Miro serving the players with new balls… it is the year of many changes on the Smrikva Bowl… and we are taking notes on the things for the generations to come… :)

... on this picture you can see part of the Smrikva Bowl history and future… Sandra played the 1st Smrikva Bowl finals and graduated in the US thanks to tennis and the boy you see on the picture is the seed of a flower of tomorrow…

... her uncle Deni played two Smrikva Bowl finals… :)...

Camilla Bedolo... is following the footprints of her brother Mattia... under the guide of the father Umberto :)...

.. but Camilla is Camilla and she conquered hearts of many people in the public…

... thanks to Khaled Farouk... year after year Egypt send the most talented kids and this year Nadia and Aley are honoring us with their presence… :)...

Fans is the member of the great Dutch team… and the mother of Julie as I learned and Eleonor Dean are back to the important presence of the talents from the Netherlands this year :)...

... here is a boy exploring the lavander but trying to respect the bees working on the flowers… :)

... Sigi... is the talent developer from Dubai who started to send Alexei Popyrin... and after that Karim Najia... and this is his second time in Smrikve with Victor Jovic... another great talent in development process :)...

... there is a story about the stars I just finished to share with Julie before this nice and hungry smile :)...

... Lav means Lion or Simba... and here it is… Lav Dašić :)

... with his friend Konstantin and his big smile… :)

... and another talent developer who is organising Kup Nada, first in Cacak and today in Belgrade, is Ivan... after Ivana Jorovic a lot of his kids has gone through Smrikva Bowl experience…

... Steve... was few years ago in Smrikve with Nicolas Kuhn and this year it is Danielle... :)

... here is Alexa Marđonović in action… he was supported in his candiadacy already year ago by Miomir Kecmanović and this year once again by Miki Janković... and the only think I can say is that he is following the footprints of the two already top World players in their age groups… :)

... the day of yesterday was dedicated to the Ambassador’s nomination cerimony… and due to long schedule and matches… we did it under the Cedar tree… the tree that was planted in 1996… the year of Smrikva Bowl foundation…

It was a nice moment… :)

... and I would have loved to have had the whole day to spend with the kids under that tree :))...

... each Ambassador after receiving the certificate and a little gift left his signature on the picture dedicated to this year edition… and here is Sarina signing :)...

... Yulia from Moscow and Alexa from Manila… attended the cerimony… and maybe Alexa will come back and play one day Smrikva Bowl… I do hope so :)... his brother Michael today was nominated Ambassador

... the Sunflower Himari and Koshiba are ready to sign too… :)

... it is the moment of Jovana Trickovic nomination… and this is her smile :))

... Zoe... is the continuation of the Smrikva word in South Africa… :)

... when we reached the old olive tree… it was already the late evening of the very long day… :)

... and here is the smile of Vuk, Iva, Senka i Anja... :)

... and here among Lora and Melanie there are the Smrikva Bowl seeds of tomorrow… :))

... part of the ZAGI team… with their positive coach! :)... under their olive tree in Smrikve :))

... and with the sun already went to sleep here is the end of the day with Himari, Koshiba, Ke and Toru :)

26/06/12

17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 Draws and Second Day results...

17^th Smrikva Bowl 2012 Draws and Second Day Results

26/06/12

Some pictures of the 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 actors :)... taken during the first day of their Smrikva Bowl...

When I think of Smrikva Bowl I try to imagine it as a theatre... ...year after year we work hard to set a stage where the world’s talents can gather…

All these different actors, great talents, very special kids, arriving from different cultures, have 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…

Today at 7:00 PM they will become Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors and I would be pleased to walk you via pictures through the first day… thus you get to meet some of the actors playing in this year edition… :)

Today girls played in Smrikve and boys were in another Club playing the first round… thus let’s meet first this year girls side :)...

... since 1996 Smrikva kids were competing for the following… ;)... there is a say once you learn to ride you can not forget it… ;)

Two inspiring girls… Julie and Zoe... both kids of the former Champions… and their dream paths seems traced and with no limits :)...

Last year I recalled Stefan Gligorov for several times and his one hand backhand and Veronika has the same one and she is a girl… increadible timing… increadible speed :)... and on the picture below she is attending with Mia the start of their game

Himari is getting ready for her game… the Sunflower of the day :)...

The family smile of Alexandra and her father after Alexandra’s match is for the camera but also for Jiri from Praha who is coaching her… ;)

Japanese and Israeli talent sculptures are on the following picture… Jan, Toru, Ke... and there is also Yshai...

Yshai is playing a tournament in Italy and he took time to visit his Smrikve home :)... he does that all the times he is in a circle of 400 kilometres from Smrikve ;)... it is an honour :)

Every year on the Smrikva Bowl there are kids of the former Champions… I introduced above Julie, Zoe… and also the mother of Staša is not hid the emotions after her daughter match… from mother to daughter the tennis racket goes… in the circle of life :)... Michael, Sebastian, Luciano, Fiona, and many others had parents that dedicated their living to sport… and the kids continue on the traced paths…

The matches were beautiful during the whole day… it is one of the most beautiful Smrikva Bowl edition for those who enjoy watching the game…

... and Johnny just entered the court to take a smile from Fiona… and make her relax a bit and make less serious the match… and to turn it into name the GAME… or “IGRA” :))....

... Smrikva was always the informal moment to exchange ideas… and tomorrow night we will make a FORUM with a larger group of parents and coaches interested in sharing experiences…

The Sunflower Himari and Kristina are taking the evening sunshine before the match…

... ready for the art…

... after the whole day Deni still has energy to smile :)... two times Smrikva Bowl finalist and TE Europe under 16 Champion enjoyed watching Smrikva Bowl 2012 generation today…

... also Charlotte US team is ready to cheer for her…

... Luciano from Argentina is also the former player’s son… and is following his father’s path :)....

... and with Toru and Koshiba watching Himari’s game the today’s article will come to the end…

... with lights the last match of the day concluded…

and the new Smrikva day is starting… the AMBASSADOR’s NOMINATION DAY… :)

25/06/12

17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 Draws and First Day results...

17^th Smrikva Bowl 2012 Draws and First Day Results

25/06/12

17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 started today at 8:30 with presentation of 106 tennis talents from over 30 countries...

Early this morning the talents started to gather for their Smrikva Bowl beginning…

With the new countries Smrikva Bowl has reached 57 countries represented on the tournament over the years…

… and on the 17th annual there are 33 countries represented and many more nations because many Smrikva Bowl kids do have more than one passport :)

The draws were ready early this morning and the first matches started…

Tomorrow at 7:00 PM 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 players will be nominated Ambassadors and will plant as per tradition an Olive Tree.

The creation of the Smrikva Bowl Library started last year and the Smrikva Bowl players brought new books representing the culture of the places they are coming from and tomorrow at 7:00 PM each book will be presented… and the century old olive tree of the 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 generation will be planted…

24/06/12

17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 players list

World in Smrikve ... there are four new countries from which we expect to have new Ambassadors nominated this year: Philippines, Greece, Northern Ireland and Thailand thus with the new countries Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors will be spread in 57 countries and all the continents after this year nomination.

The level of the players is expected very high again this year… there are many talented players among 106 registered participants... and probably this year we have the highest concentration of tennis talents in an annual since 1996…

Historically around 30 players were formally #1 in their countries over the last five years… but this year for the first time there are over 40 players being #1 in their countries… in addition to that there are also winners and runner ups of prestigious International touraments such as “Little Mo” International and Lemon Bowl present on this year Smrikva Bowl…

The creation of the Smrikva Bowl Library started several years ago and the Smrikva Bowl players brought new books representing the culture of the places they are coming from…

The names of the players that honoured us with their arrival to Smrikve this year are the following:

Girls

Noa Krznarić (CRO)
Marion Leski (AUT)
Senka Deletić (SRB)
Demin Tess (NED)
Živa Falkner (SLO)
Maja Dodik (BIH)
Sarina Reinertsen (NOR)
Kristyna Lavickova (CZE)
Francesca Costin (IRL)
Iva Divac (SRB)
Fiona Arrese (ESP)
Katarina Čališ (CRO)
Luisa Meyer Auf der Heide (GER)
Zoe M Kruger (RSA)
Francesca Curmi (MLT)
Nađa Nonković (SRB)
Danielle Lescrauwaet (NED)
Marieta Duplančić (CRO)
Andrijana Dragić (BIH)
Avelina Sayfetdinova (RUS)
Weronika Baszak (POL)
Mia Jelić (BIH)
Sara Paunovic (SUI)
Tia Jakus (CRO)
Iva Nišavić (MNE)
Nadia Serageldin (EGY)
Matilde Paoletti (ITA)
Himari Sato (JPN)
Kristina Kofol (SLO)
Anastasia Dimitrijević (AUT)
Marija Petrović (SWE)
Kornelia Hunčak (CRO)
Alexandra Melnikova (CZE)
Anja Lujić (BIH)
Julie Belgraver (NED)
Melanie Pajas (CRO)
Julie Sappl (SUI)
Teodora Vujičić (SRB)
Camilla Bedolo (ITA)
Ena Rako (BIH)
Charlotte Owensby (USA)
Helene Pellicano (MLT)
Anita Bertoloni (ITA)
Anđela Vidović (SRB)
Lora Kralj (CRO)
Maria Timofeeva (RUS)
Clara de Santiago (ESP)
Mille Elsborg (DEN)
Emina Husković (BIH)
Saffron Dowse (ENG)
Staša Vasić (SRB)
Dora Sindičić (CRO)
Pia Lovrič (SLO)
Jovana Tričković (SRB)

Boys

Borna Devald (CRO)
Oskar Weber (SLO)
Flavio Cobolli (ITA)
Alexa Marđonović (SRB)
Fans van Sambeek (NED)
Dorijan Biondić (CRO)
Piotr Pawlak (POL)
Ajdin Muharemović (BIH)
Uroš Jović (SRB)
Patrick Brady (THA)
Kristijan Selchanec (MAK)
Marko Ehman (CRO)
Angel Guerrero Melgar (ESP)
Michael Francis II M.Eala (PHI)
Filip Kaljević (SLO)
Franek Krotowski (POL)
Aley Ehab Shokeir (EGY)
Lorenzo Tarabugi (ITA)
Ryotaro Koshiba (JPN)
Thymen Loof (NED)
Lav Dašić (SRB)
Felix Nordby (NOR)
Fedor Popović (BIH)
Adriano Hunčak (CRO)
Daniel Triantafyllou (GRE)
Goran Životić (SRB)
Sebastian Gima (ROM)
Samuele Pieri (ITA)
Aleksander Borzych (POL)
Dražen Petrović (BIH)
Liam Liles (NED)
Đani Ivičić (CRO)
Samuel Pate (SLO)
Sean Kamyshev (ISR)
Mikolaj Lorens (ESP)
Milan Macura (SRB)
Vuk Vuksanović (MNE)
Alan Bojarski (POL)
Aibek Kachmazov (RUS)
Luciano Darderi (ARG)
Alberto Orso (ITA)
Lovro Suevich (CRO)
Leo Puljić (BIH)
Martin Grilj (SLO)
Viktor Jovic (UAE)
Efe Comu (TUR)
Gabrijel Kajić (CRO)
Frank Jonker (NED)
Peter Alam (ENG)
Alessio Mauri (SUI)
Konstantin Todorović (SRB)
Lorenzo Mussetti (ITA)

The openning cerimony is scheduled for 8:30 AM this morning while, tomorrow at 7:00 PM 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 players will be nominated Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors that will be followed by the Olive Tree planting cerimony…

24/06/12

17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 players final registration process started in Smrikve...

Yesterday we started the registration process for the 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 edition…

... and as per tradition every player to register for the tournament has to bring a book representing the culture of the place he or she is coming from thus contribute to create the Smrikva Bowl Library.

During the Ambassadors nomination cerimony on Tuesday the book they brougth will have their Ambassadors’ certificates in it :)...

During the final registration process the players get the final instructions and tips that should help them in understanding the weekly program… to remember to wear the t-shirt and cap they get for the openning cerimony that is scheduled for tomorrow morning 8:30 AM…

... and not to forget the racket during the Ambassadors’ nomination cerimony when they will plant their Olive Tree… :)

Every book that they bring is signed… thus the special Smrikva Bowl library is the library with names… the little talent names that will have the opportunity to exchange ideas on talents on the Smrikva Bowl Forum that will be held on Wednesday evening with some grill that Miro and Dario will prepare :)

The courts are also full of talents that are tasting the clay courts… for some of them coming from far away it is the first experience on clay thus something to remember… :)

22/06/12

First 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 players arrived and started to practice in Smrikve... Michael Francis II M.Eala, Maria Timofeeva, Marija Petrovic, Ryotaro Koshiba, Himari Sato, Sean Kamyshev, Jovana Trickovic - JOKA...

Few days ago the first Smrikva Bowl players of the 17th annual started to gather in Smrikve…

Philippines, Russia, Israel, Sweden, Japan, Serbia… are already in Smrikve… and all the other little new Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors are attended to reach Smrikve for their Smrikva Bowl in the following few days…

The first player who reached Smrikve with his family was Michael Francis II M.Eala... Micha is one of the best players in Philippines in his age group and is the first player from Philippines in the Smrikva Bowl history…

I’ve heard about him for the first time two years ago from Katie Swan’s mother and it was a pleasure to get to know him in person, his large family, his sister Alex, and his shadow coach how I like to call his grandfather who is teaching him the art of tennis :)...

I had pleasure to spend some nice days with him and his sister Alex on the court too… Micha is extraordinary boy but also his 7 years old sister I do beleive is another rising star of tomorrow ;)... sho plays two hands forehand and backhand… she still did not know who was Monika Seles but I am sure growing she will learn it soon ;)...

This morning I enjoyed a music lesson with Alex and two girls from Russia… Yulia and Maria Timofeeva...

Maria Timofeeva is from Moscow and is training at the Tennis Club Spartak… I like a lot the way she plays…

I learned about this school reading a book written by David Coyle… named The Talent Code, Greatness isn’t born. It’s grown. Here’s how…

He was traveling around the world trying to understand if talents are born or are helped to develop… and also tennis was among the sports he looked at…

Today I enjoyed watching the way Maria hits her forehand and backhand… and I would be pleased to recall just few pages from David’s book because I beleive Larisa left traces in that school…

In his book… David was impressed by results made in Tennis Club Spartak in Moscow… in particular by Larisa Preobrachenskaya... she passed away few years ago but I am pleased to share part of that book again because reading that paragraphs and learning about Larisa’s method… could be inspiring to those who help kids to develop their talents…

... it is a book worth having in the library for those who like talented kids and for those who are dedicating their life to develop talents in any field thus also in tennis…

ABSORB THE WHOLE THING.... This means spending time staring at or listening to the desired skill – the song, the move, the swing – as a single coherent entity… it basically amounts to absorbing a picture of the skill until you can imagine yourself doing it…

...Some of the most fruitful imitation I saw took place at Spartak Tennis Club in Moscow, a freezing junkpile that has produced a volcano of talent: Anna Kournikova, Marat Safin, Anastasia Myskina, Elena Dementieva, Dinara Safina, Mikhail Youzhny, and Dmitry Tursunov. All in all, the club produced more top-twenty-ranked women than the United States did from 2005 to 2007, as well as half of the men’s team that won the 2006 Davis Cup, and it’s done all that with one indoor court. When I visited in December 2006, the club resembled a Mad Max movie… An abandoned eighteen-wheeler was parked out front. Walking up, I could see shapes moving behind clouded plastic windows, but I did’t hear that distintive thwacking of tennis racquets and balls. When I walked i, the reason become evident: they were swinging all right. But they weren’t using balls.

At Spartak it’s called imitatsiya – rellying in slow motion with an imaginary ball. All Spartak’s players do it, from the five-year-olds to the pros. Their coach, a twinkly, weathered seventy-seven-years-old woman named Larisa Preobrachenskaya, roamed the court like a garage mechanic tunint an oversize engine. She grasped arms and piloted small limbs slowly through the stroke. When they finally hit balls – one by one, in a line (there are no private lessons at Spartak), Preobrazhenskaya frequently stopped them in their tracks and had them go through the motion again slowly, then once more. And again. And perhaps one more time…

I hope you enjoyed the above story :)... and…

Another big pleasure of the day was to meet Mr. Toru... the coach from Japan I met for the first time via internet several years ago who helped bring years ago first kids from Japan to the Smrikva Bowl… Arakawa, Rimpei Kawakami...

...and it was a pleasure to meet him in person today with new talents from Japan Ryotaro Koshiba, Himari Sato... and thanks to these two extraordinary kids I already learned few new Japanese words :))...

... Sean Kamyshev is one of the best players from Israel… and remind me for a little Yshai Oliel and Omer Artsi… I enjoyed his joke while we were taking a drink :)... “one beer please”... and he also remind me the world ice cream I learned from Yshai years ago ;)...

Marija Petrovic is one of the best players from Sweden… and is in Smrikve thanks to the few years ago nominated Ambassador living in Norway Andreja Petrovic…

... and at the end of the day Jovana Trickovic – JOKA from Pirot, her sister Katarina and their little brother reached Smrikve… They both played Smrikva Bowl last year and Smrikve is already a little bit their home too ;)... it is a great pleasure to meet them again…

Jovana Trickovic is one of the best girls in her generation in Serbia and she was already a top performer last year thus I am looking forward to see her excellent tecnique in both footwork and strokes on the Smrikve courts again…

... they all has been living in Austria for years and has grown there… but the place where they live today is famous for the hand made carpets… and Jovana made a special artwork dedicated to the Smrikva Bowl you can see below :)... it remind the carpets from that area but this is a painting…

... and just one more thing… I promissed to Joka that I would have looked at the picture with her friend from Malaysia made during her last year Smrikva Bowl… his name is Stefan Gligorov… and here it is JOKA ;)...

Tomorrow more players are expected to reach Smrikve…

17/06/12

In a week time the 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 edition will start...

A week before the 17th annual start I am pleased to recall the story of the Ambassadors’ old olive trees, the cricle of life story… and to do that I am pleased to help me with the Liong King cartoon :)…

Today I placed the stone inscription with the roman number XVII neaby the 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 generation olive tree and the below story, as Rafiki would say, is worth saying again ;)….

The Lion King cartoon is an artwork to me, and most of the life messages that one can find in it are in line with the Smrikva story…

There are in line with the message of the Ambassadors’ Olive Tree; there are in line with the values of friendship and love; there are in line with empathy…

Love, friendship and empathy are all Cosmopolitan values per excellence, as far as people and humanity are concerned…

The relationship between Mufasa, Sarabi and Simba reminds me of both: parents and family love, but also the intergenerational responsability.

Timon, Pumbaa and Simba relationship reminds me about love between friends. Pumbaa also makes me think abuout empathy, intuition and loyalty.

The relationship between Simba and Nola reminds me again about the importance of love. Rafiki, the wise old baboo, with his many centuries old tree reminds me about the importance of knowledge and experience of the older.

There are many other particular moments that every person on its own, based on his or her own life experience, discover by watching these artworks.

You might be interested to know that most of the characters’s names in this cartoon have a particular meaning in Swahili language: Simba means “lion”…

Nala means “gift”, and love is for me one of the greatest gifts that people can receive and give during their life…

Sarabi means “mirage”; Pumbaa means “dull-witted” or “stunned”; and Rafiki means “friend” :).

These names with their meanings make me think of the American Indians and the way they used to give the names to their people.

Every person is born without knowing anything about life on this earth and it is the responsibility of every generation to understand and to learn, to preserve all that each of us is born with…

When Mufasa was explaining to Simba that is not easy to be the King… because a good King should know that everything around us lives in a delicated equilibrium and with intelligence we should try to understand it and respect it.

The intergenerational responsibility alone allows future generations to enjoy the beauty of life, the sunsets and the seasons of the earth…

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. It is a tradition that every guest dedicate few words to the Group and he wrote down the following

“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…”

Everything around us lives in a delicated equilibrium and with intelligence we should try to understand it and respect it…

It is true that every generation face new challanges but there are many examples in the past how the old generations managed and solved particular problems and this is why knowledge, human curiosity and will to learn are important.