News

16/11/11

Karlo Boljat and Petra Granic, both 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 quarterfinalist, won the Croatian National Selector under 13 Invitation Tournament

During the last week the traditional Croatian National Selector under 13 Invitation Tournament was held at the National Tennis Center in Zagreb and I was pleased to recognize several top Smrikva Bowl players among those selected…

I was pleased to recognize among 16 names in both, boys and girls, draws… 6 boys and 3 girls that played Smrikva Bowl… :)

Most of them played 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008: Petra Granić, Nina Alibalić, Lea Bošković, Karlo Boljat, Jakov Martinis, Karlo Divković, Matko Varga… while Roko Savin played 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 and Karlo Suevich made his best result on 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 when he played the finals.

Detailed results of the above mentioned invitation tournament are the following:

GIRLS

QUARTERFINALS
Nika Bešker (1) – Tea Jezidžić 6:2, 6:0
Nina Alibalić – Anamarija Zokić 6:3, 7:5
Lea Bošković – Babić 6:3, 6:3
Petra Granić – Alesia Bučković 6:0, 6:2

SEMIFINALS
Nina Alibalić – Nika Bešker 7:5, 6:3
Petra Granić – Lea Bošković 6:0, 7:5

FINALS
Petra Granić – Nina Alibalić 6:4, 7:6

BOYS

QUARTERFINALS
Jakov Martinis – Matko Varga 6:3, 6:3
Karlo Boljat – Filip Kešina 6:3, 4:6, 6:2
Karlo Divković – Karlo Suevich 6:7, 6:3, 6:3
Borna Gojo – Roko Savin 6:2, 6:0

SEMIFINALS
Karlo Boljat – Jakov Martinis 6:4, 6:4
Borna Gojo – Karlo Divković 1:6, 7:5, 6:3

FINALS
Karlo Boljat – Borna Gojo 6:0, 7:6

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.

14/11/11

Top Smrikva Bowl and "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl players on ATP, WTA, ITF, USTA and European under 14 and 16 ranking lists (update November 2011)

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…

IN 1996 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM ISTRIA AND KVARNER (1st Smrikva Bowl)

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

IN 1997 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM CROATIA (1997 – 2nd Smrikva Bowl)

GIRLS
Ivana Lisjak, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #502 on WTA list. Ivana’s best ranking was #95 on WTA list in June 2006.

IN 1998 SMRIKVA BOWL STARTED TO BE INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT (3rd Smrikva Bowl)

1999 – 4th Smrikva Bowl

GIRLS
Astrid Besser, 4th Smrikva Bowl 1999 winner, from Italy, her best ranking was #356 on WTA list in March 2009.

2000 – 5th Smrikva Bowl

GIRLS
Tereza MRDEZA, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, from Croatia, is currently ranked #317 on WTA list and her best ranking was #279 on WTA list in February 2010.

2001 – 6th Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Marin Draganja, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #1275 on ATP ranking list.
Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked *#354 on ATP ranking list*.

GIRLS
Petra MARTIC, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #49 on WTA list. Petra’s best raning was #47 on WTA list in September 2011.
Indire Akiki, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #503 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 #183 on ATP list. Javier’s best raning is his current ranking #181 on WTA list as of November 2011.
Giacomo Miccini, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Italy, was ranked #1029 on ATP list in May 2009.

GIRLS
Martina Caregaro, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Italy, is ranked #542 on WTA ranking list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #146 on WTA list.
Ema BURGIC, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #946 on WTA list, her 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 #708 on ATP ranking list. Junior ROLAND GARROS 2011 finalist.
George MORGAN, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #722 on ATP ranking list. Junior US OPEN 2011 semifinalist.
Ciprian PORUMB, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Romenia, was ranked #195 on ITF ranking list in March 2010.

GIRLS
Jennifer Ren, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Great Britain, was ranked #1223 on WTA list.
Silvia NJIRIC, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #580 on WTA list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #146 on WTA list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Emmett EGGER, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #126 on ITF ranking list.

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

BOYS
Ivan Levar, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #658 on ITF ranking list.
Miki JANKOVIC, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #55 on ITF ranking list and is ranked #860 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #722 on WTA ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Mitchel POLNET, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #321 on ITF ranking list.

Blair SHANKLE, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #146 on ITF ranking list.
Anna MAMALAT, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #580 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 #160 on ITF ranking list.
Laslo DJERE, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #125 on ITF ranking list.
Gianluigi QUINZI, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Italy, is ranked #60 on ITF ranking list.
Nikola MILOJEVIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation tournament winner, from Serbia, is ranked #19 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #722 on WTA ranking list.
Olga IANCHUK, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Ukraine, is ranked #566 on WTA list.
Irina Maria BARA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Romania, is ranked #98 on ITF ranking list.
Donna VEKIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, is ranked #392 on WTA list*and is ranked #*27 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 #60 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Eleanor DEAN, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is ranked #127 on ITF ranking list and #774 on WTA ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Daniel Maese, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is still 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 #64 on ITF ranking list.
Gabriella Umoquit, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is still 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 #62 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Bogdan BORZA, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #1 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Gonzalo MORELL, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Spain, is ranked #92 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Sergiu BUCUR, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Romania, is ranked #15 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.

GIRLS
Ana KONJUH, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #1 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Nina POTOCNIK, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Slovenia, is ranked #29 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Eduardo NAVA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #13 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Tommy PAUL, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #5 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

Ndindi NDUNDA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #7 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Domonique Garley, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #107 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

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 #462 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Mihnea TURCU, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #408 in Europe in under 14 european ranking list.
Grega KOKALJ, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovenia, is ranked *#334 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Andrea Guerrieri, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Italy, is ranked #693 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

GIRLS
Katarina JOKIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked *#24 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*. Under 12 EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2010 winner.
Maia LUMSDEN, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Scotland, is ranked #53 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Viktoria KUZMOVA, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovakia, is ranked #19 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Estela Perez-Somarriba, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Spain, is ranked #806 on under 14 european ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Justin LEE, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #95 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
William BLUMBERG, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#134 in the USA in under 14 cathegory*.

Ingrid NEEL, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #53 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Paulina Ferrari, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #93 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

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 too young for under 14 european ranking.
Samuele Ramazzotti, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 runner up, from Italy, is too young for 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 too young for under 14 european ranking.

GIRLS
Katie SWAN, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winner, from United Kingdom, is too young for 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 too young for under 14 european ranking.
Arianna CAPOGROSSO, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Italy, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Noah SCHACHTER, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #5 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alex Gee, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #26 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Michaela GORDON, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #4 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Ashley LAHEY, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#55 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

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 ranked #148 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Claire LIU, played 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #8 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alexa Butera, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#100 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

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.

08/11/11

The story of tennis, art and culture continues also via SMRIKVE LOUNGE... :)

On 8th of August 2011, three months ago, we started to create a new place in Smrikve that will be called SMRIKVE LOUNGE…

On the picture below you can see the SMRIKVE LOUNGE render that will be exposed on Istrian Architects Association Exhibition prepared for the projects designed in 2011…

It is envisaged as a place where the culture and tennis will find the way to merge…

Culture (Latin: cultura) is a term that has many different inter-related meanings... in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of “culture” in Culture… However, the word “culture” is most commonly used in three basic senses:

1) Excellence of taste in the fine arts and humanities, also known as high culture…
2) An integrated pattern of human knowledge, belief, and behavior that depends upon the capacity for symbolic thought and social learning…
3) The set of shared attitudes, values, goals, and practices that characterizes an institution, organization, or group…

When the concept first emerged in 18th and 19th century Europe, it connoted a process of cultivation or improvement, as in agriculture or horticulture.

In the nineteenth century, it came to refer first to the betterment or refinement of the individual, especially through education…

In the mid-nineteenth century, some scientists used the term “culture” to refer to a universal human capacity….

In the twentieth century, “culture” emerged as a concept central to anthropology, encompassing all human phenomena that are not purely results of human genetics.

In American anthropology had two meanings:
a) the evolved human capacity to classify and represent experiences with symbols, and to act imaginatively and creatively; and
b) the distinct ways that people living in different parts of the world classified and represented their experiences, and acted creatively…

SMRIKVE LOUNGE is envisaged as a place where some of the Smrikva Bowl seeds spread in 53 countries will return :)… to relax, for battery re-charge and to prepare for new challanges…

Since 1996 Smrikva Bowl main court has hosted talents from all the continents… and I hope SMRIKVE LOUNGE will be the place able to attract different TOP ATP and WTA players… in reality the grown Smrikva kids :) and off course La Bottega di Smrikve friends… it is a dream…

If you visit the SMRIKVE LOUNGE website I hope the sound of the music and the pictures will give you an idea of the place…

05/11/11

Matic Podlipnik, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 player, passed "Krompirjeve počitnice" with his tennis friends Blažka Tratnik, Žan Gorenec Diemat, Mark Mesarič, Luka Miklavčič and Jan Vehovec at La Bottega di Smrikve

Last week I shared my time with Matic and his friends… that are among the most talented players of their generation in Slovenia…

Matic likes to come with his family to Smrikve and I am very pleased that he decided to bring with him his tennis friends to spend their vacations “Krompirjeve počitnice” at La Bottega di Smrikve…

Matic played Smrikva Bowl in 2010 and today is one of the most talented players in his age group in Slovenia and his friends are all dedicating a lot of time into developing their tennis talent thus to me and Miro it was an honour to get to know them and to spend their vacation with them… being their host…

Blažka Tratnik, Zan Gorenec Diemat, Mark Mesarič, Luka Miklavčič, Jan Vehovec and Matic were all our guests this week at La Bottega.

… I also learned that some of them have applied in delay for their Smrikva Bowl thus I was not able to accept them and meet them at the time, but I was glad to have had this chance this time…

Kids are special… and as Yoda would say: “Truly wonderful the mind of a child is.”… and every time there is a possibility to work with kids… if you try… you can feel it :)

On the picture below you can see them from left to right with few member of our school: Blažka, Mark, Luka, Jan, Zan Matic, Karlo and Ari…

Most moments I will leave to the kids’ memories but with below pictures I will recall just few moments of their stay…

… after the morning breakfast prepared by Žan’s father Frenki and Blažka’s parents… the warm up was always something that I would call “the experience”… something to do with smile… and something that help to develop the FEELING… the pillar one in developing the tennis art…

…and the below song may mean something more to Matic, Blažka, Mark, Luka, Zan and Jan than to other readers but I am pleased to post it for them :)…

…and might mean something to the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 players who attended the Ambassadors Cerimony and the Old Olive Tree planting this year… ;)

… there are most different ways to learn things… and after morning excercise we were lucky with the weather and possibility to visit Southern Istria’s coastline right in front of the Brioni Islands…

I was riding the bike and they were combining the running with walking…

… the road was long many kilometers but on the road there were most different ways to train… and on the picture below you can see Žan… rotating his shoulders… and hips and throwing the stone far away into the sea… :)… the movement reminds his big serve ;)…

… I was not the only bike rider… they all know to ride the bike… and there is something to learn about… balance… quite important in tennis too ;)…

… 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.” ;)

… these kids have dedicated between 1.000 and 2.000 deep practice hours into developing their tennis talent… and they are aware that there is a long way in front of them if they decide to become tennis masters… and I was pleased to see before the launch time how they were connected with a player who already dedicated over 7.000 hours of deep practice to tennis and is getting with every hour closer and closer towards tennis virtue… and they had the possibility to spent some time with him on the court… :)

… launch and dinner prepared by Žan’s father was an experience for me… tasting Franki’s soup remind me my childhood when I was going to ski in Slovenia on Bled and Bohinj :)…

On their last morning… they were nominated Honorary Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors… they did not play Smrikva Bowl but they had the opportunity to learn more about Smrikve philosophy…

… Matic was born in 2000 and he has his Olive Tree planted in Smrikve during his 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 edition… his friends: Zan, Luka, Jan and Mark were born in 1999 thus they would have played the 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 and Blažka would have played the 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008…

… thus the last morning they gave their names to respective Olive Trees of the generations they belong to… and they received a Smrikva Bowl hat in turn… they all know that there are three important things for a player… and that hat they know what it is :)…

It was an honour to work with these kids… and I can only wish to them as to their teachers to continue to help them into developing their talents… because the job they are doing is great!

Best wishes kids… both in school and tennis and thank you for your visit!

03/11/11

Nicolas Alvarez Varona, 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 quarterfinalist, defeated in the finals of TTK European Master played in Barcelona Marco Furlanetto from Italy, 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 Consolation Draw winner

I’ve just received the news from Nicolas Alvarez Varona’s father that Nicolas won the TTK European Master under 10 played in Barcelona at Academia Sanchez-Casal.

Nicolas Alvarez played this year Smrikva Bowl and reached qurterfinals… I was glad to recognized few others names in the letter received from Nicolas’ father such as Marco Furlanetto from Italy, who was in the finals of TTK Master in Barcelona, and Jan Kupcic, from Slovenia… both Smrikva Bowl players.

In addition to that I was pleased to learn that Paula Arias Manon, also from Spain, won twice this tournament and she reached few years ago the Smrikva Bowl finals.

For those who understand Spanish I am pleased to post the article in Spanish…

NICOLÁS ÁLVAREZ VARONA vencedor ayer domingo del Master Europeo TTK, en categoría Benjamín Masculino, celebrado este fin de semana en la Academia Sánchez-Casal de Barcelona

Ganó en la final al italiano Marco Furlanetto

NICOLÁS ÁLVAREZ VARONA, jugador del Club de Tenis El Cid y alumno del Centro de Tecnificación de tenis de Burgos, ha conseguido vencer en el Master Europeo TTK, categoría Benjamín Masculino, que se ha disputado desde el pasado sábado y hasta el día de hoy, en las instalaciones de la Academia Sánchez Casal de Barcelona.

Han participado en este evento jugadores y jugadoras de ESLOVAQUIA, REPÚBLICA CHECA, GEORGIA, IRLANDA, HOLANDA, TURQUÍA, FINLANDIA, ALEMANIA, ITALIA, CROACIA, ESTONIA, ESLOVENIA Y GRECIA.

El sistema de competición se ha desarrollado en Round Robin, clasificandose los primeros de cada grupo, que disputaban las semifinales.

Nicolás vencía en el primer partido al Esloveno Jan Kupcic por 2-4, 4-3 (5) y 7-3. Partido muy complicado para el jugador burgalés, que supo mantener la serenidad en los momentos claves para terminar venciendo. El jugador esloveno puso mucha calidad en su juego en todo momento.

En el segundo partido Nicolás Álvarez vencía sin dificultad al griego Max Baltas por 4-0 y 4-1; y en el tercer y último partido de la fase de grupos se imponía al italiano Lorenzo Masseti por un doble 4-0. De esta forma terminaba primero de su grupo y llegaba a semifinales, dónde en el día de ayer se enfrentaba a uno de los favoritos de la competición, el también español Javier Molino.

Partido este de gran nivel de tenis en el que vencía el jugador burgalés por 2-4,4-3 (3) y 7-1. Empezó perdiendo Nicolás, para ir remontando poco a poco y terminar ganando con claridad en el tie-break definitivo del tercer set.

Y ya en la gran final disputada esta misma mañana, Nicolás se ha impuesto al italiano Marco Furlanetto por 4-1, 0-4 y 8-6. Partido de ida y vuelta en todo momento. Empezó ganando con claridad Nicolás en el primer set, para después Furlanetto imponer su juego en el segundo set. En el tie break definitivo del tercer set, 3-1 a favor del jugador burgalés, para luego realizar cinco puntos consecutivos el italiano (6-3) que le han dado tres pelotas de partido. A partir de ahí reacción fulminante de Nicolás que ha conseguido cinco puntos consecutivos para terminar ganando al tie-break por 8-6, y así ganar el partido y alzarse con el título de campeón.

Partido tremendamente emocionante que ha logrado sacar adelante el jugador burgalés merced a su fortísima actitud mental en los momentos decisivos, dónde cualquier mínimo error hubiera dado la victoria al jugador italiano, el cual atesora un juego enormemente versátil y vistoso.

Reseñar asimismo el triunfo de la jugadora de Castilla y León, la abulense PAULA ARIAS, que gana este Master Europeo por segundo año consecutivo…

30/10/11

A new sculpture dedicated to Smrikva Bowl...

Over the last few weeks several people helped me to realize a new sculpture dedicated to the Smrikva Bowl… :)

As you can see on the picture above it is a combination of various elements… stones… 19th century style steel… Smrikva Bowl sign… and the Wilson Jumbo rackets…

I recall when I was a kid I used to remember things like that… and the idea to put JUMBO rackets was driven by the idea of stimulating children’s imagination…

I do hope that also adults will like it ;)

29/10/11

Donna Vekic, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, reached her second finals of USD 25000 ITF tournament played in Lagos (Nigeria)

Donna Vekic, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, currently ranked #638 on WTA list played after only a week in anotherfinals of USD 25.000 ITF worth tournament played in Lagos in Nigeria.

Donna’s road towards the finals of her second Lagos 2011 USD 25.000 worth tournament was the following:

1st round: Donna Vekic – Biola AKEWULA (Ngr) 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: Donna Vekic – Nina BRATCHIKOVA (Rus) 6:2, 4:1 ret.
Quarterfinals: Donna Vekic – Melanie KLAFFNER (Aut) 5:7,6:0,6:3 Semifinals: Donna Vekic – Dalila JAKUPOVIC (Slo) 6:3, 2:6, 7:6
Finals: Donna Vekic – Tamaryn HENDLER (Bel) 4:6, 5:7

...while the ranking of the players played with Donna Vekic in Nigeria on the WTA list is the following:

Biola AKEWULA (Ngr) – # not ranked on WTA list
Nina BRATCHIKOVA (Rus) – # 134 WTA list
Melanie KLAFFNER (Aut) – # 305 WTA list
Dalila JAKUPOVIC (Slo) – # 350 WTA list
Tamaryn HENDLER (Bel) – # 224 WTA list

What is impressive in results from this second Nigerian tournament for Donna Vekic to me is that although she was born in 1996, and has only 15 years, in two weeks time was able to defeat twice Nina Bratchikova from Russia currently ranked #134 on WTA list… and also the victory over Melanie Klaffner from Austria and Dalila Jakupovic that are both TOP 350 WTA players is another impressive element that shows current Donna’s preparation.

Congratulations Donna!

24/10/11

Javier Marti, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, won the USD 25000 worth tournament played in Dubrovnik, while Donna Vekic, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, reached the finals of USD 25000 ITF tounrnament played in Lagos (Nigeria)

Javier Marti, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Spain, currently ranked #197 on ATP list, won yesterday the ITF USD 25.000 worth Future played in Dubrovnik (Croatia).

Javier’s road towards the victory in Dubrovnik 2011 was the following:

1st round: Javier Marti – Josip MESIN (Cro) 6:4, 6:0
2nd round: Javier Marti – Jan KUNCIK (Cze) 6:2, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Javier Marti – Damir DZUMHUR (Bih) 6:2, 4:6, 6:3
Semifinals: Javier Marti – Olivier PATIENCE (Fra) 6:2, 6:7, 6:2
Finals: Javier Marti – Dusan LOJDA (Cze) 6:4, 6:2

...while the ranking of the defeated players till Javier Marti’s victory of the Futures played in Dubrovnik was the following:

Josip MESIN (Cro) – # 1100 ATP list
Jan KUNCIK (Cze) – # 1375 ATP list
Damir DZUMHUR (Bih) – # 458 ATP list
Olivier PATIENCE (Fra) – # 514 ATP list
Dusan LOJDA (Cze) – # 225 ATP list

Marin Draganja and Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 finalists, won the doubles in the same tournament!

Donna Vekic, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, currently ranked #638 on WTA list played the finals yesterday of the USD 25.000 ITF worth tournament played in Lagos in Nigeria.

Donna’s road towards the finals in Lagos 2011 was the following:

1st round: Donna Vekic – Melanie KLAFFNER (Aut) 6:4, 6:1
2nd round: Donna Vekic – Nidhi CHILUMULA (Ind) 6:0, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Donna Vekic – N. FOUROUCLAS (Rsa) 6:2, 6:1
Semifinals: Donna Vekic – Nina BRATCHIKOVA (Rus) 6:3, 6:2
Finals: Donna Vekic – Elina SVITOLINA (Ukr) 4:6, 3:6

...while the ranking of the players played by Donna Vekic in Nigeria on the WTA list is the following:

Melanie KLAFFNER (Aut) – # 305 WTA list
Nidhi CHILUMULA (Ind) – # 1211 WTA list
Natasha FOUROUCLAS (Rsa) – # 838 WTA list
Nina BRATCHIKOVA (Rus) – # 135 WTA list
Elina SVITOLINA (Ukr) – # 325 WTA list

Congratulations Javier and Donna!

23/10/11

Yshai Oliel, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist, won the under 12 Championship of Israel, while Omer Artsi, 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 player, ranked 3rd in the National Championship in the under 10 age group

I just received a message from Omer’s father that the Championship of Israel 2011 ended yesterday and Omer Artsi, who played this year Smrikva Bowl, reached the third place in the under 10 age group, while Yishai Oliel, who played last year Smrikva Bowl, won the under 12 age group.

Omer also played the finals in the doubles and on the picture below you can see Yishai on the left side and on the right side Omer. In the middle of the picture is their coach Jan.

Congratulations boys!

20/10/11

The Smrikve c Code story... is a story about virtue created by training and wish to learn...

Smrikve c Code was created a year ago in October as a new section among the Smrikva Bowl Tournament sections…

The birth of this article was inspired by both the Smrikva Bowl players ability to use rackets and The Star Wars knights to use lightsabers…

It is a kid’s story about virtue created by long hours spent in training and by wish to learn… every day a little piece of the puzzle…

Smrikve, October 2010

The Star Wars “Return of the Jedi” is the first film I remember seeing with my dad at the cinema… it was 1983 and I was 10… the cinema was named “Istra”… I was the same age as the Smrikva Bowl players we host every year in Smrikve :)…

In the introduction of this article I would just underline that I like the way Jedi use the lightsabers and I like the way Smrikva Bowl kids use their rackets :)… Smrikve c Code is a story about virtue created by training and wish to learn…

My dad was pilot and for me watching The Star Wars with him at the cinema was a particular experience … I had many questions and he, as usual, with smile and pleasure answered to each of my questions…

Dad used to take me with him on the airport when I was little… and I remember him entering the cockpit of the plane with pilot helmet watching towards me and giving me the sign that he was ready to fly… than he turned on the engine of the plane and watched towards me again with smile in his eyes…

I stayed about 100 meters from the airplane with his colleagues and watched him taking his plane towards runway…

From the place where I stayed only part of the runway was visible because of the wood and he took the plane in the area that was invisible to me to prepare for the takeoff… I was able to hear the force of the engine… and when the sound of the force started to increase I knew that my dad will be visible soon… his colleagues were telling me “be ready soon your dad will come”… and when he started to be visible on the back of the plane there was the fire… almost half length of the airplane had the fire extension formed by his engine and I just noticed his helmet in the cockpit and followed by my kids eyes his airplane reaching the sky…

The Jedi are characters in the Star Wars universe bound to a code of morality and justice and are trained in the use of the light side of the force. They learn to use the Force, and weapons, known as lightsabers, which emits a controlled energy flow in the shape of a sword, to serve and protect their Republic and the galaxy from conflicts or government instability…

Since long time ago I started to note the ability of Smrikva Bowl kids using the racket and thinking at the same time on Jedi’s ability to use the lightsaber :)…

Some of my students use Wilson’s ying & young damper… known as Tao sign… they like the symbol but are still too young to have an idea about it ;)… I will try to use this symbol to help me explain how little the difference could be in forming a balance in anything we do… every action has a reaction in our World… in the first classes of physics we learn Newton’s third law…

Tao is an abstract concept found in Taoism, Confucianism, and more generally in ancient Chinese philosophy and East Asian cultures.

While the word itself translates as “way”, “path”, or “route”… it is often used philosophically to signify the fundamental nature of the World we are used to living on Earth… it is often referred to as “the nameless”, because neither it nor its principles can ever be adequately expressed in words.

While the Tao cannot be expressed, Taoism holds that it can be known, and its principles can be followed. Much of Taoist writing focuses on the value of following the Tao – called Te (virtue) – and of the ultimate uselessness of trying to understand or control Tao outright. This is often expressed through yin and yang arguments, where every action creates a counter-action as a natural, unavoidable movement within manifestations of the Tao.

I used the above short explenation to introduce the Codes used in the Star Wars universe…

As in the Tao symbol there were knights trained to use the dark side of the force and the light side… this is the way how mankind functioned since the human written memory goes back…

For new ideas people have to go beyond… out of the known patterns by using their imagination… the kids are many times Master in this…

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

DARK SIDE (The Sith Code)

• Peace is a lie. There is only passion.
• Through passion, I gain strength.
• Through strength, I gain power.
• Through power, I gain victory.
• Through victory, my chains are broken.
• The Force shall free me.

LIGHT SIDE (The Jedi Code)

• There is no emotion, there is peace.
• There is no ignorance, there is knowledge.
• There is no passion, there is serenity.
• There is no death, there is the Force.

The Jedi Code was rewritten by Grand Master Luke Skywalker upon reestablishing the Jedi Order:

• Jedi are the guardians of peace in the galaxy.
• Jedi use their powers to defend and to protect.
• Jedi respect all life, in any form.
• Jedi serve others rather than ruling over them, for the good of the galaxy.
• Jedi seek to improve themselves through knowledge and training.

Smrikve c code is the code…

I am pleased to close this article with Dire Straits and their Brothers in Arms song… starting with the sound of the thunder… The concert was made in 1988 to honour Nelson Mandela…

*BROTHERS IN ARMS *

These mist covered mountains
Are a home now for me
But my home is the lowlands
And always will be
Some day you’ll return to
Your valleys and your farms
And you’ll no longer burn
To be brothers in arms

Through these fields of destruction
Baptism of fire
I’ve whittnessed your suffering
As the battles raged higher
And though they did hurt me so bad
In the fear and alarm
You did not desert me
My brothers in arms

There’s so many different worlds
So many different suns
And we have just one world
But we live in different ones

Now the sun’s gone to hell
And the moon’s riding high
Let me bid you farewell
Every man has to die
But it’s written in the starlight
And every line on your palm
We’re fools to make war
On our brothers in arms

Miodrag Bozovic

14/10/11

SMRIKVE LOUNGE... the story of tennis and culture continues... :)

On 8th of August 2011, two months ago, we started to create a new place in Smrikve that will be called SMRIKVE LOUNGE…

The idea of this project dates back into year 2000 and had to change over time because of external factors but its basic idea never changed…

It is envisaged as a place where the culture and tennis will find the way to merge…

It is envisaged as a place where some of the Smrikva Bowl seeds spread in 53 countries may decide to return :)… for relax, battery re-charge and to prepare for new challanges…

Since 1996 Smrikva Bowl main court has hosted talents from all the continents… and I hope Smrikve Lounge will be the place able to attract different TOP ATP and WTA players… in reality the grown Smrikva kids :)… it is a dream that started to realize…

Two weeks ago Petra Martic (born in 1991) reached her best career ranking #47 on WTA list… Javier Marti (born in 1992)… reached his best career ranking last week #193 on ATP list… and many little stars are just forming and in less than few years may start to shine…

If you visit the SMRIKVE LOUNGE website I hope the sound of the music and the pictures will give you an idea of the place :)

On the picture below you can see how SMRIKVE LOUNGE looks today…

Antoine de Saint Exupery, the Little Prince book author, left several interesting thoughts during his living and one of them that I am pleased to recall today is… „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.” ;)

13/10/11

Top Smrikva Bowl and "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl players on ATP, WTA, ITF, USTA and European under 14 and 16 ranking lists (update October 2011)

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…

IN 1996 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM ISTRIA AND KVARNER (1st Smrikva Bowl)

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

IN 1997 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM CROATIA (1997 – 2nd Smrikva Bowl)

GIRLS
Ivana Lisjak, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #335 on WTA list. Ivana’s best ranking was #95 on WTA list in June 2006.

IN 1998 SMRIKVA BOWL STARTED TO BE INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT (3rd Smrikva Bowl)

1999 – 4th Smrikva Bowl

GIRLS
Astrid Besser, 4th Smrikva Bowl 1999 winner, from Italy, her best ranking was #356 on WTA list in March 2009.

2000 – 5th Smrikva Bowl

GIRLS
Tereza MRDEZA, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, from Croatia, is currently ranked #341 on WTA list and her best ranking was #279 on WTA list in February 2010.

2001 – 6th Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Marin Draganja, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #1276 on ATP ranking list.
Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked *#333 on ATP ranking list*.

GIRLS
Petra MARTIC, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #52 on WTA list. Petra’s best raning was #47 on WTA list in September 2011.
Indire Akiki, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #525 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 #188 on ATP list. Javier’s best raning is his current ranking #188 on WTA list as of October 2011.
Giacomo Miccini, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Italy, was ranked #1033 on ATP list in May 2009.

GIRLS
Martina Caregaro, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Italy, is ranked #542 on WTA ranking list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #151 on WTA list.
Ema BURGIC, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #947 on WTA list.

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

BOYS
Dominic THIEM, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Austria, is ranked #1885 on ATP ranking list. Junior ROLAND GARROS 2011 finalist.
George MORGAN, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #745 on ATP ranking list. Junior US OPEN 2011 semifinalist.
Ciprian PORUMB, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Romenia, was ranked #195 on ITF ranking list in March 2010.

GIRLS
Jennifer Ren, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Great Britain, was ranked #1223 on WTA list.
Silvia NJIRIC, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #531 on WTA list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #151 on WTA list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Emmett EGGER, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #108 on ITF ranking list.

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

BOYS
Ivan Levar, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #683 on ITF ranking list.
Miki JANKOVIC, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #55 on ITF ranking list and is ranked #875 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #803 on WTA ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Mitchel POLNET, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #308 on ITF ranking list.

Blair SHANKLE, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #153 on ITF ranking list.
Anna MAMALAT, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #565 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 #158 on ITF ranking list.
Laslo DJERE, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #125 on ITF ranking list.
Gianluigi QUINZI, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Italy, is ranked #60 on ITF ranking list.
Nikola MILOJEVIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation tournament winner, from Serbia, is ranked #17 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #803 on WTA ranking list.
Olga IANCHUK, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Ukraine, is ranked #735 on WTA list.
Irina Maria BARA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Romania, is ranked #94 on ITF ranking list.
Donna VEKIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, is ranked #656 on WTA list*and is ranked #*26 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 #60 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Eleanor DEAN, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is ranked #121 on ITF ranking list and #828 on WTA ranking list.

Christina MAKAROVA, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #46 on ITF ranking list.
Gabriella Umoquit, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is still not ranked on ITF ranking list.

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

“Little Mo” TEAM
Eduardo NAVA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #15 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Tommy PAUL, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #6 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

Ndindi NDUNDA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #8 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Domonique Garley, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #116 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

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 #463 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Mihnea TURCU, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #409 in Europe in under 14 european ranking list.
Grega KOKALJ, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovenia, is ranked *#327 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Andrea Guerrieri, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Italy, is ranked #690 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

GIRLS
Katarina JOKIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked *#24 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*. Under 12 EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2010 winner.
Maia LUMSDEN, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Scotland, is ranked #51 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Viktoria KUZMOVA, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovakia, is ranked #21 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Estela Perez Somarriba, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Spain, is ranked #806 on under 14 european ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Justin LEE, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #128 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
William BLUMBERG, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#127 in the USA in under 14 cathegory*.

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

Michaela GORDON, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #5 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Ashley LAHEY, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#47 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

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

“Little Mo” TEAM
Max Motlagh, played 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #199 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Claire LIU, played 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #9 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alexa Butera, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#99 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

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

13/10/11

Top Smrikva Bowl players on Tennis Europe Junior Master: Ana Konjuh won the under 16 age group, Belinda Bencic won the under 14 age group while Bogdan Borza reached the semifinals of the under 14 age group...

There are three Smrikva Bowl players who reached outstanding results on the last Tennis Europe Junior Masters played in Reggio Calabria, Italy, a week ago:

Bogdan Borza, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, reached the semifinals of the under 14 age group…

Belinda Bencic, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 player, won the under 14 age group…

Ana Konjuh, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, won the under 16 age group…

On the picture above you can see Ana Konjuh during her Smrikva Bowl when she was 10 years old. Ana is in the middle of the picture.

For those who have interest to read more I am pleased to share parts of the article published on tenniseurope.org

Tennis Europe Junior Masters

10 October 2011

“The Tennis Europe Junior Tour’s elite players brought the season to an end in style at the Junior Masters recently. The event, which was staged on clay courts in Reggio Calabria, Italy, from 7 – 9 October, is open to the top 6-ranked European players according to the final Race to the Masters rankings, as well as the European Junior Champions and finalists.

Alexander Zverev of Germany scored arguably the most impressive win of the weekend to take the Boys 14 & Under title, his third tournament win of the season. To do so, he ended top seed Bogdan Borza ’s hopes of becoming the first player ever to win the European Championships in singles, doubles, as part of a team and the Tennis Europe Junior Masters in the same season. The 6-4 6-4 semi final win was all the more impressive as Borza had won their only previous meeting this year – in the semi finals of the European Championships in Pilzen – for the loss of just four games.

Zverev’s opponent in the final was Borza’s Romanian Summer Cups team-mate Nicolae Frunza, who had caused his own upset to beat Russia’s Andrey Rublev in his semifinal. Despite a tough battle in the second set, Zverev held on for a 6-3 7-6(3) win that meant he would go down in history as the first German player ever to win a Masters title.

The 14 & Under girls’ event saw Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic claim an incredible 15th Tennis Europe Junior Tour title, brushing to a 6-3 6-1 win over Anastasiya Rychagova of Russia. Rychagova had earlier ended the hopes of top seed Iryna Shymanovic (BLR) in the match of the tournament, a thrilling 6-0 2-6 7-6(7) semi final.

It has been an interesting season for Bencic, who in addition to her runner-up spot at the European Junior Championships, has also won her first matches on the professional circuit and reached a final on the ITF 18 & Under circuit.

...

The 16 & Under girls’ event saw Ana Konjuh take another step up. Ranked as the #1 14 & under player since becoming the first Croatian girl to win the European Junior Championships in July, she opted to play the higher age category at the Masters and became the first Croatian girl to win the Masters title since Jelena Pandzic won the first edition in 1996.

In the semi finals, she levelled her head-to-head record with Jelena Ostapenko (LAT) at two wins apiece, coming from a set down to win 2-6 6-2 6-1. Her final victory over top seed Ioana Rosca of Romania was more straightforward, winning 6-3 6-2 to complete the last of the finals just before the arrival of heavy rains that forced the cancellation of several play-off matches.

Former champions of the Junior Masters include Rafael Nadal and Kim Clijsters...”

In the video below you can see several former Smrikva Bowl players and also few pictures of Ana Konjuh taken this year on European under 14 age group Championship played in Pilzen…

08/10/11

Two new videos related to the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 edition are available in our video library

Yesterday two new videos related to the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 edition were added to our video library…

The first video was registred and broadcasted live on June 28th, 2011 in “Zapadna Strana” TV show… “Zapadna Strana” is a documentary program run by a young journalist Mr. Leonard Poropat. The program is periodically broadcasted on Pula’s local TV – TV Nova… and in summer time is broadcasted from a terrace that overview the town.

The interview was focused on 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 edition and Smrikve… and is in Croatian language.

The second one I received from Olga Danilovic’s mother that was broadcasted on RTS. Olga Danilovic is from Belgrade and she was the winner in the girls Main Draw of the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 edition.

06/10/11

Today we started to collect olives that will end up in bottles with Smrikva Bowl olive oil that will be given to the 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 Ambassadors - Istrian olive oil is considered one of the best in the World

Today we started to collect olives…

The 2012 Smrikva Bowl olive oil production :)… In Smrikve is considered 2012 production because the next year every new Smrikva Bowl Ambassador will receive a bottle of it.

In Smrikve we produce Istrian olive oil that has over 2000 years old tradition in olive oil making and was considered among the best one in the Roman Empire and today is still considered among the best one in the World.

During the Smrikva Bowl we use to give to every Smrikva Bowl Ambasador a bottle of oil as a memory to their Smrikva Bowl.

We started the collection process that will end with transforming the olives into oil for the 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 players and Ambassadors.

One day we will be able to produce special and limited collections of the Smrikva Bowl olive oil from the Smrikva Bowl centuries old olive trees planted by some of the future tennis Champions…

A SHORT INTRODUCTION OF THE LONG STORY OF THE ISTRIAN OLIVE OIL…

The tradition of the olive oil production started to develop in Istria during the time of the Emperor Augustus. Thanks to the olive oil Pula was for few centuries one of the richest towns in the Roman Empire and this is one of the main reasons why Pula got its magnificent Arena.

Arena was completed at the same time as the famous Colosseum in Rome. It is one of the six largest Roman amphitheatres in the World and is today the Roman amphitheatre with best preserved external mantel in the World.

It is important to say that at the time olive oil was not used only as the salad dressing as we use it today but it was used also for lighting thus it was important as todays are important the sources of energy we use. It was the gold of its period. This explain the status and importance Pula had during the Roman Empire time.

Istrian olive oil was considered among the best in the Empire but also the amphorae production was very important. In the village located nearby Pula named Fazana one of the most prestigous amphorae production facilities were located owned by a Roman Consul.

SMRIKVA BOWL AMBASSADORS OLIVE TREES…

In 2005, for the 10th Smrikva Bowl anniversary, we started the tradition of planting an old Olive tree. The Olive tree selected needs to be older than the oldest man living on the earth today.

The people that planted Smrikva Bowl Olive trees for the first time are no longer among us and the message this Olive tree transmits to the Ambassadors is that intergenerational responsibility alone will allow future generations to enjoy the beauty of life, the sunsets and the seasons of the earth.

The Lion King cartoon is an artwork and many life messages one can find in it and most of them are in line with the Smrikva Bowl.

They are in line with the message of the Ambassadors’ Olive Tree; they are in line with the values of friendship and love; they are in line with empathy. Love, friendship and empathy are all Cosmopolitan values per excellence, as far as people and humanity are concerned thus in line with Smrikva Bowl mission.

WHAT REMAINED IN ISTRIA FROM THE ROMAN OLIVE OIL TRADITION…

The olive tree can live for millenniums and thanks to this long life of the olive tree we do know one of the sorts that was cultivated during the Roman Empire time.

Today in Istria there are other sorts of olive trees but the olive oil is outstanding thanks to the geographic position of Istria.

It is hard to understand how Romans without sophisticated analysis instruments that we do have today were able to determine in which part of the Empire they were able to get the best food, olive oil and wine. Istria was considered the area of the best olive oil and wine.

Romans had deep knowledge of olive oil making and we do know that they had five different olive oils quality ranking:

1. Oleum ex albis ulivis: first quality olive oil made by green and white olives

2. Viride: olive oil made by the olives that started to become black

3. Maturum: olive oil made by mature olives

4. Caducum: olive oil made by olives collected from the ground

5. Cibarium: olive oil made by rotten olives

Most of the old knowledge returned to Istria in the last decades thanks to the many Istrian families that dedicated with passion in rediscovering this old agricultural art.

THE OLDEST ISTRIAN OLIVE TREE…

On Brioni island there is an olive tree from the beginning of the 4th century that is one of the oldest olive trees in Europe. For its years could be also a symbol of wise.

To give you an idea of his age just imagine that this olive tree was planted during the time of Emperor Costantine the Great.

In general, wise and talented people usually create things after hard personal experiences. Men mostly learn trough experiences and that knowledge usually have value for future generations.

It would be nice to think that the oldest Istrian olive tree from Brioni could lend a part of its wise to each visitor :)

Marcus Valerius Martialis, native from Cordoba, who lived in the 1st century AD, during the Roman Empire times, celebrated Istrian olive oil with the following verses: “Uncto Corduba Laetior Venafro Histra Nec Minus Absolute Testa”. The translation in English would be: “Cordoba, you being more fertile than the olive oil region of Venafro and so perfect as the oil (amphora) from Istria”.

To learn more about ISTRIAN OLIVE OIL and the Region where Smrikva Bowl is played please visit:

…CULTURAL E-BOOK “Istria from Smrikve” aims to provide Smrikva Bowl players and their families with useful information about the places that should be visited in the Istria region. Here you will find information about: architecture, history, people, music, museums, major cultural events, cuisine, top restaurants and the best olive oil and wine producers.

05/10/11

Tereza Mrdeza, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, won the USD 10.000 ITF worth tournament played in Umag (Croatia)

Last week, Tereza Mrdeza, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, from Croatia, currently ranked #365 on WTA list won the USD 10.000 ITF worth tournament that was played in Umag in Istria – Croatia.

Tereza Mrdeza’s road towards her victory in Umag was the following:

1st round: Tereza Mrdeza – Dana MACHALKOVA (CZE) 6:1 6:3
2nd round: Tereza Mrdeza – Jade SUVRIJN (FRA) 6:1 6:1
Quarter finals: T.Mrdeza – Natalija KOSTIC (SRB) 6:1 6:3
Semifinals: Tereza Mrdeza – Milana SPREMO (SRB) 6:0 6:4
Finals: Tereza Mrdeza-Zuzana ZLOCHOVA (SVK) 7:6 4:6 6:2

Ranking of the players defeated by Tereza on WTA list is the following:

Dana MACHALKOVA (CZE) – not ranked
Jade SUVRIJN (FRA) – #964 on WTA list
Natalija KOSTIC (SRB) – #753 on WTA list
Milana SPREMO (SRB) – #484 on WTA list
Zuzana ZLOCHOVA (SVK) – #416 on WTA list

01/10/11

Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, reached the semifinals of ITF USD 15.000 worth tournament played in Umag

Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, is the second best ranked former Smrikva Bowl player on ATP ranking list… currently Dino holds #349 place on ATP list…

Since May of this year Dino Marcan jumped for around 300 places on ATP list… and given the fact that just few days ago I recalled Petra Martic entering the TOP 50 on WTA list I am pleased to share the news of Dino’s progress who after Javier Marti is the second best ranked player on ATP list.

While watching the draw I also noted that he played with Kristijan Mesaros in the quarterfinals… and although Kiki did not play Smrikva Bowl he lived and trained for some time in Smrikve with Miro Hrvatin and Sinisa… Kiki is currently ranked #237 on ATP list thus congratulations to both players!

Dino Marcan’s road in details towards the semifinals of the ITF USD 15.000 worth tournament played in Umag was the following:

1st round: Dino Marcan – Germain GIGOUNON (Bel) 6:4, 1:0 ret.
2nd round: Dino Marcan – Mate PAVIC (CRO) 6:1, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Dino Marcan – Kristijan MESAROS (CRO) 6:3, 6:3
Semifinals: Dino Marcan – Dusan LAJOVIC (SRB) 3:6, 4:6

In the video below you can see Dino practicing at Georgia University.

30/09/11

Petra Martic, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, this week reached her best career ranking by entering TOP 50 WTA... while Javier Marti, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, reached TOP 200 ATP ranking this week too...

Petra Martic, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, this week entered the TOP 50 WTA ranking... she is the best ranked former Smrikva Bowl player on WTA ranking list…

Since September 26th she holds the #47 place on WTA ranking list…

Petra Martic was born in 1991 and today there are only 4 players on WTA ranking list of her age group that are better ranked than her…

I am pleased to share this news as an achievement also because according to statistics there are only 10 to 15 girls in a generation that reach the TOP 50 position in the World during their tennis career…

On the video below you can see her on the last US Open…

... in addition to the above I am pleased to share with Smrikve community that on the same date, 26th of September, our best former Smrikva Bowl player on ATP list, Javier Marti, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, reached TOP 200 ATP list ranking position... and is currently ranked #196 on ATP list….

26/09/11

Silvia Brgic and Neven Stok are the winners of the 6th Smrikva Rekreacija 2011 Tournament

In 2009 we established the Spring and Autumn Smrikve Tennis Club Tournament for the recreational players and since last edition we included also our young tennis school competitors in the Draw. This weekend the Autumn edition was played.

24 Smrikve Tennis Club members participated in this 6th Smrikve Rekreacija 2011 Tournament.

Over two days there were many nice and competitive matches of very similar level in both Main and Consolation Draws… and there were also unexpected surprises…

On Saturday we had grill day prepared by Miro and my mother…

...and on Sunday we had “pasta with bakalar” for launch and “palacinke” for the dinner for the people that gathered to cheer in the finals.

Smrikve Rekreacija Main and Consolation Draw winners since its foundation in 2009 are the following:

MAIN DRAW – CONSOLATION DRAW

1st Smrikve Rekreacija 2009
• Tomislav Bozovic – Ariana Rabac

2nd Smrikve Rekreacija 2009
• Igor Dobranovic – Patrik Chiavalon

3rd Smrikve Rekreacija 2010
• Slaven Ferencic – Miodrag Bozovic

4th Smrikve Rekreacija 2010
• Deni Zmak – Tomislav Bozovic

5th Smrikve Rekreacija 2011
• Deni Zmak – Damir Car – A Group
• Slaven Ferencic – Milan Granda – B Group
• Patricija Orlic – C Group

6th Smrikve Rekreacija 2011
• Silvia Brgic – Neven Stok

Last time we separated competitors and top performers recrational players from the others but this time we played all together by having seeded players and this formula proved to be the best to follow :)...

The finals of the Main Draw between Silvia Brgic and Damir Car started after the Consolation Draw finals…

On her road towards the finals Silvia Brgic, one of our best competitors, defeated one of our best recreational players Igor Dobranovic...

... while Damir Car defeated Ariana Rabac, our second best competitor…

Ari in the quarterfinals played her tournament best match against Adrian Segota...

In end the winner of the Main Draw was Silvia Brgic and she defeated in the finals Damir Car with result 6:1, 6:7, 10:3.

It was a very nice and competitive final full of emontional moments for both players and the public.

In the Consolation Draw Neven Stok played with Milan Granda – Slovenac...

To reach the Consolation finals Neven played in the semifinals with Igor Soltic – Sole... while Milan played in the semifinals with Marijan Grzetic.

In end… Neven won the finals with the result 9:2.

It was a very nice week end… and thanks to each member who played over the weekend for the nice tournament and congratulations to the winners and finalist of this Autumn edition…

See you again in Spring… :)

21/09/11

17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 selection process starts today on Ambassadors Day...

Dear Smrikva Bowl friends!

With this e-mail the selection process of the talents for the 17th annual Smrikva Bowl 2012 starts. 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 will be held in Pula-Istria, Croatia, from 25th till 30th of June 2012. Smrikva Bowl, as some of you may know, is the tournament which boasts the top 10 years old players world-wide… not an under 10, but a “s”-uper 10…;)

There is a detailed presentation about 17th Smrikva Bowl 2012 with the application form and other relevant information related with this year edition that is posted on the main page of the Smrikva Bowl website.

16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 gathered top players from 27 countries and since the tournament foundation in 1996 over 1150 top players from 53 countries and all the continents have played the event.

In 2009 the cultural tourism guide “Istria from Smrikve” was published and this is my gift to the Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors and Smrikve friends with wish that a part of helping us in scouting talents around the World our little Ambassadors will also help us in spreading the word about Istria as cultural tourism destination worth visiting.

The same year, as part of the subscription fee, the Smrikva Bowl participants started to bring a book about the culture of the place they are coming from thus we started to create the Smrikva Bowl Library… this year we physically created the library that also become a classroom for the members of our tennis school “La Bottega” di Smrikve…

Smrikva Bowl mission is to develop and spread Cosmopolitan values. Children, sport, culture and music are part of the Cosmopolitan World. Last year the Cosmopolite website has been created and it is another gift to the friends of Smrikve and our Ambassadors. Cosmopolite is a website dedicated to a book describing the importance of civilisation for the talents development.

Today is 21st of September… and a year ago this date was selected to be dedicated to the Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors… thus became the Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors Day… it is a good day to start the research of the talents for the 2012 edition…

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 from the traditional number of 100 have been reduced to a total number of 64 thus your help will be even more precious…

If you know a good tennis player born in 2002 that deserves to play Smrikva Bowl please let me know. If you would like to help in any way Smrikva Bowl you are welcome, and thank you in advance for spreading the word about Smrikve and Smrikva Bowl in your community.

Regards,

Miodrag Bozovic