News

09/04/11

Ajla Tomljanovic - 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up - reached the finals of USD 25000 worth tournament played in Jackson (USA)

Ajla Tomljanovic played Smrikva Bowl twice. She was runner up when she was 9 years old in 2002 and ranked 3rd when she was 10 in 2003.

A month ago she won in Florida at Clearwater a USD 25.000 worth tournament and this week she reached the finals of another USD 25.000 worth tournament played in Jackson.

Ajla is 17 years old and is also currently the best ranked Smrikva Bowl player after Petra Martic on WTA ranking list – #173 WTA.

Ajla’s road towards the finals in Jackson was the following:

1st round: Ajla Tomljanovic – Petra RAMPRE (SLO) 6:3, 6:3
2nd round: Ajla Tomljanovic – Valeria SOLOVIEVA (RUS) 6:4, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Ajla Tomljanovic – Heidi EL TABAKH (CAN) 7:6, 6:3
Semifinals: A. Tomljanovic – Roxane VAISEMBERG (BRA) 6:2,7:6
Finals: Ajla Tomljanovic – Marina ERAKOVIC (NZL) 1:6, 2:6

The ranking of the players Ajla played or will play is the following:

Petra RAMPRE (SLO) – #366 WTA
Valeria SOLOVIEVA (RUS) – #272 WTA
Heidi EL TABAKH (CAN) – #220 WTA
Roxane VAISEMBERG (BRA) – #355 WTA
Marina ERAKOVIC (NZL) – #230 WTA

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.

08/04/11

Spring from Smrikve... :)... pramaliće newsletter...

Dear Smrikve friends,

I am pleased to share just few words with the spring news from Smrikve… thus take the opportunity to say hello to those I do not hear, see or read very often…

Each day the weather is better and better here in Pula, the spring already started and the nature is waking up… more and more time we are spending on the tennis courts and collecting asparagus :)... the final preparation works for the Smrikva Bowl and the summer season are on going…

I am pleased to invite you to visit a new video „Unforgettable South Istria“ that is nice to refresh memories to those that have been in Pula, to those who plan to return… and also to those that are making plans to visit us…

Since a long ago I started to compare SMRIKVA BOWL talents gathering to the process of wine making… :)... and I guess you know why?...

The application process for the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011. have been concluded and the only thing I can say is that on the paper we can expect a lot of talents, but it is hard to say anything more than that… and here it comes the wine…

It is like for the wine…. you do not know how good it is till you taste it… the same is for the Smrikva Bowl talents, till you do not see those little Masters with rackets how they solve points on the court you do not know how good they are compared to the other annuals…

The accepted players are coming from 30 countries, out of which 6 are new countries (Peru, Tunis, Tanzania, Denmark, Finland and Malaysia)... thus with this year the Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors are expected to reach the presence in fifty five World countries…

As far as VILLA SMRIKVE is concenred… I am pleased to share the news that now Villa Smrikve’s swimming pool has the new solar water heating system :)... thus the water is every day more and more suitable for swimming and I hope it will be till the end of September… thus all Villa Smrikve guests on vacation can count on it…

As far as OUR TENNIS SCHOOL IS CONCERNED I beleive this information could be of interest to many former Smrikva Bowl players that look for a summer vacation tennis place to spend with their families... that we are currently working with four talented players: Silvia (under 16), Ari (under 16), Max (under 14) and Leon (under 10)... and my list of read books continue to increase year after year, thus during your stay you can count on that knowledge too…

And for the end, I am pleased to share with you the beginning of the second phase of the cultural travel guide ISTRIA from SMRIKVE development...

In mid February I started to visit the first families and collect their stories… and I am pleased to share already written stories… and if you like wine, olive oil, good food, culture, nice place to stay… you may like them:

FAMILY BELCI (Vodnjan – Dignano) – „The story of the smell of the flowers of the olive trees“... the May is magic…

FAMILY PERSIC – VILLA ANNETTE (Rabac – Porto Albona) – „the story of a WWW boutique hotel“... what women want hotel…

FAMILY KARLOVIC – NOSTROMO (Rabac – Porto Albona) – „NOSTROMO… the story of the good food and the sea“...

FAMILY SINKOVIC – SAN MAURO and SINKOVIC WINES (Momjan – Momiano) – „the story of a Noble family from the Istrian Muscatel Kingdom“... it is the story of wine and tradition…

MARIN RENDIC – PEPENERO (Novigrad – Cittanova) – „the story of a young Gastro Artist… MASTER CHEF of the 1st ORDER” ...

FAMILY POLETTI – POLETTI WINES (Visnjan – Visignana) – „Peter Piero Poletti… curiosity, tradition and wine“...

ALL THESE STORIES AND MUCH MORE FOR THOSE WHO HAVE INTEREST IN DISCOVERING THE ISTRIAN CULTURAL HERITAGE COULD JOIN LINKED IN GROUP „DISCOVER ISTRIA FROM SMRIKVE“...

Thank you for your time invested in reading this newsletter… and a special thanks goes to those who helps to spread the Smrikve stories… our website visits continue to reflect that…

To all of you best wishes for a nice beginning of the spring… and looking forward to see some of you in Smrikve!

Miodrag Bozovic

03/04/11

The confirmation e-mails have been sent to all the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 candidates.

All the candidates that have indicated the correct e-mail adress in their application forms should have received the confirmation e-mail of their acceptance or impossibility to invite them to play.

We accepted 19 players above our limit, thus there will be no waiting list.

The players that have not received any confirmation e-mail and have sent the application form please inform Smrikve Tennis Club via e-mail by writing to: [email protected].

30/03/11

The possibility to candidate players for the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 edition have been Closed yesterday - 30th of March 2011. The candidates that have applied please read the following

Smrikva Bowl is traditionally limited to 100 players.

For the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 we have received applications that exceed the number of places available.

The candidates are from 30 countries. There are six new countries that might be represented for the first time at the Smrikva Bowl: Tunis, Denmark, Tanzania, Finland, Malaysia and Peru.

As indicated in the application instructions top players from each country will be preferred. In addition, the preference will have players born in year 2001.

All the candidates will receive the confirmation e-mail of their acceptance or impossibility to invite them to play before April 5th, 2011.

The players that do not receive any information e-mail by the 5th of April please inform via e-mail the Smrikve Tennis Club: [email protected]

25/03/11

Petra Martic, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, lost in the second round of Sony Ericsson Open 2011 played in Miami (Florida) against Maria Sharapova

Petra Martic, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, is the best ranked former Smrikva Bowl player on WTA – #95 on WTA list.

This week she played Sony Ericsson Open 2011 in Miami – Florida and lost in the second round against very good performing Maria Sharapova. In the first round Petra Martic defeated Kristina BARROIS from Germany ranked #80 WTA.

After getting the Wild Card for Miami Petra Martic reached the second round as follows:

1st round: Petra Martic – Kristina BARROIS (Ger) 7:5, 6:2
2nd round: Petra Martic – Maria SHARAPOVA (Rus) 2:6, 3:6

The ranking of the players that Petra played is the following:

Kristina BARROIS (Ger) – # 80 WTA list
Maria SHARAPOVA (Rus) – # 13 WTA list

Below is a short video registred at Sony Ericsson Open 2011 of Petra’s second match with Maria Sharapova.

22/03/11

Massimo Stupar won a regional TK Sunny tournament - under 16

Massimo Stupar (Max) is 13 years old player from Pula who started to train at Smrikve Tennis Club only six months ago and this week end he won his first regional under 16 Open tournament played at Tennis Club Sunny in Rovinj.

Max loves tennis and has a huge potential in almost all of his strokes. Big serve and huge improvement potential in his forehand… but week after week it is quite easy to notice that there are several elements that will allow him to play a strong tennis and likely soon Max will be able to develop important part of his potentail.

Max’s roads towards the victory at TK Sunny under 16 Open was the following:

1st round: bye
Quarterfinals: Massimo Stupar – Markus MIHILLI 6:2
Semifinals: Massimo Stupar – Luca VEGGIAN 6:0
Finals: Massimo Stupar – Luka VESELIĆ 6:3

Another good news I noted in Max’s results is that in few months he is changing scores with most of the players he used to play in the past.

Congratulations Max for your will to learn and I am also pleased to thanks in your name Ari and Silvia that are helping your faster developement :)

21/03/11

This weekend the 3rd "Turnir Teniskih Nada" was played in Cacak (under 10 Tennis Hopes Tournament)

Three years ago I received an e-mail from Ivan Petkovic – the tennis coach native from Cacak (Serbia) – that over the years brought several talented players to the Smrikva Bowl.

In his e-mail he explained to me that he had the idea of organising a tournament for the best under 10 players in Serbia and would be pleased to offer as a prize for the winers the possibility to enter the Smrikva Bowl main draw.

I supported his idea by offering to his winners this opportunity and this is the third year that Teniske Nade Turnir was played and it is the third year that the winners of his tournament are welcome to compete in the Smrikva Bowl.

The winner of the girs finals was Ksenija Tmusic who defeated in the finals Nevena Kicovic, while in the boys finals Dusan Obradovic defeated Spasojevic.

GIRLS:

Semifinals:
Ksenija Tmusic – Teodora Djokic 2:0
Emilija Kojcic – Andjela Skrobonja 2:0

Finals: Ksenija Tmusic – Emilija Kojcic 2:0

BOYS:

Semifinals:
Spasojevic – Goran Zivotic 2:1
Dusan Obradovic – Luka Stefanovic 2:0

Finals: Dusan Obradovic – Spasojevic 2:0

A special congratulations to Dusan Obradovic and Ksenija Tmusic and hopefully you will enjoy your participation in the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 edition.

17/03/11

Just received from Kristina Novak, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist, pictures and video from Open Super 12 - AURAY 2011 :)

I just received few pictures of Kristina Novak and Jovana Vukovic from Auray – the under 12 World Championship just concluded a week ago in France.

OPEN SUPER 12 AURAY is played since 1985 and many top world players played this tournament considered one of the most important under 12 International Tournaments in the World.

Last year winner was Maia LUMSDEN, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Scotland while this year OPEN SUPER 12 AURAY 2011 winner was Anastasia MIKHEEVA 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 player…

On the following picture you can see Joka and Kristina in Auray this year.

They are both year younger than the average of the players played this year AURAY thus also next year they may come back… and who knows maybe they can do better compared to what they did this year… it is always metter of deep practice to develop a talent but on a tennis road there many other elements too as every person who loves tennis knows… and from each step we learn… :)

Here are the scores of Kristina and Joka on this year edition:

Kristina NOVAK (Slo) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist
1st round: Kristina Novak – Schena BENAMAR (Fra) 6:3, 6:2
2nd round: Kristina Novak-O.MARTIN NEUVILLE (Fra) 7:5,7:5
3rd round: Kristina Novak- Sofya ZHUK (Rus) 2:6, 1:6

Jovana VUKOVIC – JOKA (Srb) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 winner and 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 runner up
1st round: Jovana VUKOVIC – Raphaelle BEZERT (Fra) 7:6, 6:0
2nd round: Jovana VUKOVIC – Manon PLESSY (Fra) 5:7, 6:1, 4:6

After the tournament Kristina had the opportunity to visit Paris and she visited Roland Garros… from the letter I received it was a wounderfull experience… and I know that Joka also visited it when she was in Paris at Mouratoglou Academy and I know she like it… :)

Here below you can see few strokes of Kristina Novak playing with Martin Neuville from France in the second round of AURAY 2011.

Best wishes girls!

15/03/11

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

Only 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 the junior tennis.

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 #257 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, 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 #1144 on ATP ranking list.
Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #679 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Petra MARTIC, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #95 on WTA list. Petra’s best raning was #63 on WTA list in April 2010.
Indire Akiki, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #724 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 #295 on ATP list.
Giacomo Miccini, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Italy, was ranked #1758 on ATP list in May 2009.

GIRLS
Martina Caregaro, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Italy, is ranked #370 on WTA ranking list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #190 on WTA list.
Ema BURGIC, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #707 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 #914 on ATP ranking list and is ranked #2 on ITF ranking list. Under 18 EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2010 winner.
George MORGAN, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #946 on ATP ranking list and is ranked #7 on ITF ranking list. Under 18 DUNLOP ORANGE BOWL 2010 winner.
Ciprian PORUMB, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Romenia, is ranked #587 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Jennifer Ren, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Great Britain, was ranked #1117 on WTA list.
Silvia NJIRIC, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #593 on WTA list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #190 on WTA list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Emmett EGGER, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #78 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 #1120 on ITF ranking list.
Miki JANKOVIC, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #71 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #71 on ITF ranking list.
Ecaterina Oproiu, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Romenia, not ranked on ITF ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Mitchel POLNET, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #221 on ITF ranking list.

Blair SHANKLE, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #207 on ITF ranking list.
Anna MAMALAT, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #417 on WTA ranking list.

IN 2005 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM 3 CONTINENTS

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

BOYS
Matteo DONATI, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Italy, is ranked #202 on ITF ranking list.
Laslo DJERE, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #362 on ITF ranking list.
Gianluigi QUINZI, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Italy, is ranked #107 on ITF ranking list.
Nikola MILOJEVIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation tournament winner, from Serbia, is ranked #22 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #72 on ITF ranking list.
Olga IANCHUK, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Ukraine, is ranked #914 on WTA list.
Irina Maria BARA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Romania, is ranked #171 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 #107 on ITF ranking list and #2 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Filip Kraljevic, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #415 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.

GIRLS
Eleanor DEAN, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is ranked #173 on ITF ranking list.
Dina PAOCIC, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #566 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.

“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 #37 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 #13 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Bogdan BORZA, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #3 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Gonzalo MORELL, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Spain, is ranked #55 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Sergiu BUCUR, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Romania, is ranked #9 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.

GIRLS
Ana KONJUH, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #9 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Nina POTOCNIK, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Slovenia, is ranked #21 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Eduardo NAVA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #9 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Tommy PAUL, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #20 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 #292 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 #295 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Mihnea Turcu, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Romania, is still not ranked on under 14 european ranking list.
Grega KOKALJ, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovenia, is ranked *#84 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Andrea Guerrieri, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Italy, is ranked #478 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

GIRLS
Katarina JOKIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked *#62 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 #31 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Viktoria KUZMOVA, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovakia, is ranked #44 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Estela Perez Somarriba, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Spain, is still not ranked on under 14 european ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Justin LEE, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #868 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
William BLUMBERG, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#1002 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

Ingrid NEEL, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #65 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Paulina Ferrari, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #582 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, 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 #2 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alex Gee, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #64 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Michaela GORDON, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #34 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Ashley LAHEY, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#80 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 currently not ranked in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Claire LIU, played 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #28 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alexa Butera, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#243 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

13/03/11

Ajla Tomljanovic - 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up - won the USD 25000 worth tournament played in Clearwater in Florida (USA)

Ajla Tomljanovic played Smrikva Bowl twice. She was runner up when she was 9 years old in 2002 and she ranked 3rd when she was 10 in 2003.

This week she won in Florida at Clearwater a USD 25.000 worth tournament.

Ajla is 17 years old and is also currently the best ranked Smrikva Bowl player after Petra Martic on WTA ranking list – #190 WTA.

Ajla Tomljanovic’s road towards her victory in Clearwater was the following:

1st round: Ajla Tomljanovic – Liana-Gabriela UNGUR (Rou) 6:1,6:2
2nd round: A.Tomljanovic – Jessica PEGULA (Usa) 6:7, 6:3, 6:2
Quarterfinals: Ajla Tomljanovic -Karolina PLISKOVA (Cze) 6:3,6:3
Semifinals: Tomljanovic-M.LARCHER DE BRITO (Por) 6:3,4:6,6:2
Finals: A.Tomljanovic -Sessil KARATANTCHEVA (Kaz) 7:6,6:3

The ranking of the players Ajla played or will play is the following:
Liana-Gabriela UNGUR (Rou) – #164 WTA
Jessica PEGULA (Usa) – #562 WTA
Karolina PLISKOVA (Cze) – #189 WTA
Michelle LARCHER DE BRITO (Por) – #181 WTA
Sessil KARATANTCHEVA (Kaz) – #173 WTA

CONGRATULATIONS AJLA!

08/03/11

Smrikva Bowl players on Open Super 12 - AURAY 2011. Anastasia Mikheeva is in the winner of Open Super 12 AURAY 2011 while Georgina Axon reached the quarterfinals.

OPEN SUPER 12 AURAY is played since 1985 and many top world players played this tournament considered one of the most important under 12 International Tournaments in the World.

Some of the known names are: Les Français Richard GASQUET, Gaël MONFILS, Paul-Henri MATHIEU, Julien BENNETEAU, Tommy ROBREDO, Raphaël NADAL, Mickaël YOUZNY, Féliciano LOPEZ, Amélie MAURESMO, Justine HENIN, Kim CLIJSTERS and Dinara SAFINA.

Last year winner of the girls draw was Maia LUMSDEN, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Scotland while this year OPEN SUPER 12 AURAY 2011 winner is Anastasia MIKHEEVA 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 player. Anastasia Mikheeva was among the very few players that played Smrikva Bowl at age of 8 years.

Detailed results of the Smrikva Bowl players on this year OPEN Super 12 – AURAY 2011 are the following:

GIRLS:

Anastasia MIKHEEVA (Uk) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 player
1st round: Anastasia Mikheeva – Kelia LE BIHAN (Fra) 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: Anastasia Mikheeva – Pauline DORE (Fra) 6:1, 6:0
3rd round: Anastasia Mikheeva – Inci Ogut (Tur) 6:1, 6:2
Quarterfinals: Anastasia Mikheeva – D.GINOCCHIO (I) 6:4, 6:4
Semifinals: A.Mikheeva – M. VONDROUSOVA (Cze) 6:1, 7:6
Finals: Anastasia Mikheeva -Anna SLOVAKOVA (Cze) 6:2,7:5

Georgina AXON (Uk) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 player
1st round: Georgina Axon – Ines YVIQUEL (Fra) 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: Georgina Axon – Ulyana GRIB (Blr) 6:0, 6:2
3rd round: Georgina Axon – Anna UREKE (Rus) 6:3, 6:2
Quarterfinals: Georgina Axon – A.SLOVAKOVA (Cze) 6:7,4:6

Inci OGUT (Tur) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 semifinalist
1st round: Inci Ogut – Arina AMANING (Fra) 6:0, 6:3
2nd round: Inci Ogut – Nika SHYTKOUSKAYA (Blr) 6:3, 6:1
3rd round: Inci Ogut – Anastasia MIKHEEVA (Uk) 1:6, 2:6

Alessia WELTI (Sui) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 quarterfinalist
1st round: Alessia Welti – Emmanuelle GIRARD (Fra) 6:0, 6:2
2nd round: Alessia Welti – Julie VEREECKE (Bel) 6:1, 6:2
3rd round:A.Welti-C.ROBILLARD-MILLETTE 6:2,3:6,4:6

Arianna CAPOGROSSO (I)-14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 semifinalist
1st round: Arianna Capogrosso – Léa ROMAIN (Fra) 6:3, 6:3
2nd round: A.Capogrosso-C.ROBILLARD-MILLETTE (Can) 2:6, 0:6

BOYS:

Miomir KECMANOVIC (Srb) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 player
1st round: Miomir Kecmanovic – Sacha CULTRU (Fra) 6:3, 6:4
2nd round: M.Kecmanovic – Ilan SYMCHOWICZ (Fra) 6:3, 3:6, 6:1
3rd round: Miomir Kecmanovic – Dan ADDED (Fra) 3:6, 5:7

Patrik RIKL (Cze) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 player
1st round: Patrik Rikl – Louis DUSSIN (Fra) 6:3, 6:4
2nd round: Patrik Rikl – Philipp KLIMOV (Rus) 4:6, 7:5, 6:1
3rd round: Patrik Rikl – Benjamin SIGOUIN (Can) 0:6, 2:6

Samuele RAMAZZOTTI (I) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 runner up
1st round: Samuele Ramazzotti – Cyril RESPAUT (Fra) 6:1, 6:3
2nd round: Samuele Ramazzotti – Dan ADDED (Fra) 3:6, 2:6

Alex DE MINAUR (Esp) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 player
1st round: Alex de Minaur – Lucas FINCK (Fra) 7:5, 6:1
2nd round: Alex de Minaur – Corentin MOUTET (Fra) 6:3, 6:7, 0:6

Nicolas MERZETTI (I) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 player
1st round: Nicolas Merzetti – Gaetan DROGUET (Fra) 6:7, 5:7

07/03/11

The last weekend I spent at Belluno following the PTR course Biomechanics 1 run by Luigi Bertino and Danilo Pizzorno

I spent this weekend at Circolo Tennis Citta’ di Belluno 1949 following a PTR course Biomechanics 1. PTR Professional Pepe Rigamonti was hosting the event at the club where he works while Luigi Bertino and Danilo Pizzorno run the program.

Luigi Bertino is an experienced tennis teacher and PTR speaker involved in many different fields and having most different responsbilities at both PTR and Italian Tennis Federation dedicated to the growth of the tennis players, while Danilo Pizzorno is the authority in tennis video analisys and his work is a tool for players such as Djokovic, Ljubicic, Federer and many others.

Over the years Danilo analysed thousands of various players working side by side with top world coaches and players and his database and capacity to use Dartfish program makes him the tennis authority in Video Analysis and Luigi and Danilo made the Biomechanics course a real pleasure.

Biomechanics, thanks to Video Analysis, is becoming every day more important. The Video helps you note things our eyes are not able to spot and the fact that most of the angles have been analysed over the years help you identify the areas of improvement for your player.

Biomechanics 1 was dedicated to basic strokes: Forehand, Backhand and Serve.

For those who are not familiar with Biomechanics I am pleased to share a funny way to identify the key fields that it covers and you find them in its acronym: B.I.O.M.E.C.H.A.N.I.C.S.

1. Balance
2. Inertia
3. Opposite Force
4. Momentum
5. Elastic Energy
6. Coordination Chain
7. Heaviness of Stroke
8. Arm movement
9. Number of Segments
10. Increment of the Distance of the Racquet
11. Characteristics of the Racquet
12. Strenght

Each day Biomechanics will become more and more important for people that like to teach and learn more about tennis game and its understanding it will be of huge help to both teachers and players.

07/03/11

Ana Konjuh, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, and Borna Coric, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2010 player, won the Croatian Indoors under 18 National Championship

Ana Konjuh – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up – just won the Croatian Indoors under 18 National Championship played last week at the National Tennis Center in Zagreb.

Less than two months ago Ana crowned herself as Croatian under 14 Indoors Champion and now she won the under 18 Championship.

Ana is currently the most talented player in her age group in Croatia and among the most talented European players; she is currently ranked #9 in Europe in under 14 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.

Ana Konjuh’s road towards the victory was the following:

1st round: Ana Konjuh – Jana Fett 6:2, 6:1
2nd round: Ana Konjuh – Ivona Erceg 6:2, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Ana Konjuh – Tena Lukas 6:1, 6:1
Semifinals: Ana Konjuh – Anja Cosovic 6:2, 3:6, 6:1
Finals: Ana Konjuh – Marijana Vlahinic 6:3, 6:1

On Ana’s road towards the victory I recognized also Anja Cosovic and Jana Fett who also played Smrikva Bowl in different years!

In the boys draw the winner was Borna Coric one of the most talented players in his age group in the World. He is just one year older than Ana and his road towards the victory was the following:

1st round: Borna Coric – Matej Svjetlicic 6:3, 6:1
2nd round: Borna Coric – Ivan Divkovic 7:6, 6:4
Quarterfinals: Borna Coric – Jan Dupor 6:1, 6:4
Semifinals: Borna Coric – Ivan Lovric 3:6, 7:6, 6:3
Finals: Borna Coric – Franko Miocic 6:4, 6:0

On Borna’s road towards the victory I recognized Ivan Divkovic, Jan Dupor and Franko Miocic who played Smrikva Bowl in various years.

It is always a pleasure for me to see so many Smrikva Bowl players continuing to be in tennis many years after their Smrikva Bowl.

Congratulations!

28/02/11

Unforgettable South Istria - a gift for all the past Smrikva Bowl players that enjoyed their experience in Pula :)

I am pleased to share with our community a nice video of southern Istria made by Smrikva Bowl friends Ozren and Lorense from Matica Adriatica.

I enjoyed it and I hope you will enjoy it too.

18/02/11

Petra Martic, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, reached the semifinals of XIX Copa BBVA Colsanitas 2011 in Bogota - Colombia (USD 220.000)

Petra Martic, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, is the best ranked former Smrikva Bowl player on WTA – #119 on WTA list.

This week she played great tennis in Bogota’ – Colombia and Petra reached the semifinals of USD 220.000 worth tournament played there. She did not play that match because of health problems thus we do not know if she could have played the finals or eventually won this tournament.

In the second round Petra Martic defeated Polona Hercog from Slovenia the 2nd seed player of the tournament ranked #49 WTA.

Petra Martic road towards her semifinals of XIX Copa BBVA Colsanitas 2011 in Bogota was the following:

1st round: Petra Martic – Zuzana ONDRASKOVA (CZE) 7:5, 6:1
2nd round: Petra Martic – Polona HERCOG (SVN) 6:2, 6:3
Quarterfinals: Petra Martic – Laura POUS TIO (ESP) 7:6, 6:3
Semifinals: P.*Martic*- Lourdes DOMINGUEZ LINO (ESP) w.o.

The ranking of the players that Petra played is the following:

Zuzana ONDRASKOVA (CZE) – # 81 WTA list
Agnieszka Radwanska (Pol) – # 49 WTA list
Laura POUS TIO (ESP) – # 92 WTA list
Lourdes DOMINGUEZ LINO (ESP) – # 77 WTA list

Below is the video registred this year at the Australian Open where Petra qualified into the Main Draw and lost in the second round to #14 WTA player of the World at the time – Radwanska.

Congratulations Petra!

16/02/11

Bogdan Borza, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, reached the finals on 29th edition of Le Mondial des Petits AS 2011 - unofficial under 14 World Championship

Les Petits As is unofficial under 14 World Championship traditionally played in Tarbes in France. 29th edition of Le Mondial des Petits AS 2011 was completed at the end of the last January.

There were several Smrikva Bowl players in Tarbes that I recognited in the Draws and the best ranked was Bogdan Borza followed by Belinda Bencic.

Bogdan Borza, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Romania, reached the finals of this year edition, while Belinda Bencic, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 player, from Switzerland, reached the semifinals.

Their detailed results and the results of other top Smrikva Bowl players are the following:

BOYS:

Bogdan Borza (Rom) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up
1st round: Bogdan Borza – Alexandre MULLER (Fra) 6:3, 7:5
2nd round: Bogdan Borza – Nathan SEATEUN (Fra) 6:4, 6:0
3rd round: B. Borza – Mandresy RAKOTOMALALA (Fra) 7:6, 6:4
Quarterfinals: Bogdan Borza – Stefan KOZLOV (Usa) 6:1, 3:6, 7:6
Semifinals: Bogdan Borza – Francis TIAFOE (Usa) 6:2, 6:4
Finals: Bogdan Borza – Henrik WIERSHOLM (Usa) 2:6,7:5,3:6

Sacha Merzetti (Usa) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 winner
1st round: Sacha Merzetti – Lucvas TAYLOR (Uk) 6:2, 2:6, 6:4
2nd round: Sacha Merzetti – David VOLFSON (Can) 7:5, 7:5
3rd round: Sacha Merzetti – Edoardo NAVA (USA) 6:3, 6:2
Quarterfinals: Sacha Merzetti-Alexander ZVEREV (Ger) 2:6, 3:6

Edoardo Nava (Usa) – 6th “Little Mo”/ Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Edoardo Nava – Evgeny TYURNEV (Rus) 6:4, 6:3
2nd round: Edoardo Nava – Vitaliy SACHKO (Ukr) 6:1, 7:6
3rd round: Edoardo Nava – Sacha MERZETTI (Ita) 3:6, 2:6

Gonzalo Morrell (Esp) – 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Gonzalo Morrell – Nathan SEATEUN (Fra) 3:6, 1:6

Sergiu Bucur (Rom) – 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Sergiu Bucur – Kenneth RAISMA (Est) 2:6, 6:7

GIRLS:

Belinda Bencic (Sui)- 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 player
1st round: Belinda Bencic – Camille SIREIX (Fra) 6:1, 6:0
2nd round: Belinda Bencic – Dessislava ZLATEVA (Bul) 6:1, 6:1
3rd round: Belinda Bencic – Naiktha BAINS (Aus) 6:3, 6:1
Quarterfinals: B.Bencic – Anastasiya RYCHAGOVA (Rus) 6:0, 6:4
Semifinals: Belinda Bencic-Jelena OSTAPENKO (Aut) 1:6, 4:6

Nina Potocnik (Slo)- 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Nina Potocnik – Darta EMULINA (Aut) 6:4, 6:2
2nd round: Nina Potocnik – Helen PLOSKINA (Ukr) 6:3, 6:1
3rd round: Nina Potocnik – Vendula ZOVINCOVA (Cze) 4:6, 3:6

Ana Konjuh (Cro)- 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up
1st round: Ana Konjuh – Maia LUMSDEN (Uk) 6:0, 6:1
2nd round: Ana Konjuh – Raluca CIUFRILA (Rom) 6:2, 6:2
3rd round: Ana Konjuh – Anastasiya KOMARDINA (Rus) 3:6, 4:6

Ivana Jorovic (Srb)- 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 player
1st round: Ivana Jorovic – Paula BADOSA (Esp) 6:3, 6:1
2nd round: Ivana Jorovic – Katharina HOBGARSKI (Ger) 6:2, 6:1
3rd round: I. Jorovic – Veronika KUDERMETOVA (Rus) 4:6,2:6

Katarina Jokic (BiH)- 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner
1st round: Katarina Jokic – Yulia BRYZGALOVA (Rus) 7:6, 4:6, 4:6

Maia Lumsden (Uk)- 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up
1st round: Maia Lumsden – Ana KONJUH (Cro) 0:6, 1:6

Viktoria Kuzmova (Svk)- 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008
1st round: Viktoria Kuzmova- Raluca CIUFRILA (Rom) 3:6,6:2,6:7

Bianka Bekefi (Hun)- 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 player
1st round: Bianka Bekefi – Katharina HOBGARSKI (Ger) 1:6, 1:6

Silvia Chinellato (Ita)- 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 player
1st round: S.Chinellato- Kristina SCHMIEDLOVA (Svk) 2:6,6:4,3:6

On the pictures below you can see on the right side holding the trophy Sacha Merzetti and Bogdan Borza is sitting below him. Also Eduardo Nava and Ana Konjuh are on the picture This picture was taken before 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2007 was played.

Let me give you some insights about my memories on Bogdan Borza and Sacha Merzetti during their Smrikva Bowl of 2007…

Bogdan Alexandru Borza is currently 14 years old player and for sure is among the most talented rising Romanian junior tennis players.

In 2007 the Smrika Bowl final was played between Bogdan Borza and Sacha Merzetti. That final was among the most beautiful finals in the Smrikva Bowl history.

It was like the final between Nadal and Nadal :). They both have as example the tennis star Rafael Nadal and they both behaved before the match in a very similar manner Rafael Nadal does.

Bogdan Borza and Sacha Merzetti both at the time had an increadible energy, determination and good technique. It was very funny when one mum wanted to compliment with Bogdan and she said to him that he looks like Roger Federer and she said that because really Bogdan had a similar dress, body and also the game style was similar to Federer’s one, but Bogdan answered to that compliment:”No, I am like Nadal”.

This was very funny to me :). On the other side, the other finalist, Sacha Merzetti, had the dress similar to Nadal’s one. In end they both wanted to be like Nadal :).

Bogdan’s father speaks very well Italian so we had the opportunity to speak several times and I was really surprised when he told me that Bogdan trained by his own playing with older players in his town.

This was increadible for me for the clean tecnique and such a good game that Bogdan has reached at the time. I am even more pleased to read that he is progressing well.

The same words of compliments goes to Sacha Merzetti and Eduardo Nava, and in the girls draw each of the mention name above is a name to remember and I am sure many girls will return there next year such as Katarina Jokic and Maia Lumsden!

Congratulations Smrikva boys and girls!

14/02/11

Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction

Smrikva Bowl mission is to develop and spread cosmopolitan values. Love, friendship and empathy are cosmopolitan values per excellence…

Smrikve, April 2009

FEW WORDS ABOUT L…

The strongest force among human beings is named “Love”. Love can be very powerfull but can also be very painfull force.

THE LITTLE PRINCE…by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry… is a very special book that every person at different age read differently.

It is a book that last over time and was likely the last love gift Antoine de Saint-Exupéry made to his wife Consuelo de Saint-Exupéry.

Over time this book was translated in many different languages thus become a love gift for many generations around the world.

It is a children’s book writen for the olders… I like many parts of it… especially the description that Antoine make of the adult people… the description of the moment when the rose was born… the importance of the right orders on the King’s planet… “you never know” statement… the meeting with the wise fox… the smiling stars and many other parts…

Only best friends, when they trust each other, do share their deep knowledge… and once The Little Prince and the fox created such a special relationship the fox shared a secret with him…

“Goodbye, said the fox. And now here is my secret, a very simple secret. It is only with the heart that one can see rightly. What is essential is invisible to the eye.”

Antoine de Saint-Exupéry beleived that: Love does not consist of gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.… “Ljubav ne zahtjeva da dvoje ljudi gledaju jedno u drugo, već da zajedno gledaju u istom pravcu”.

Miodrag Bozovic

13/02/11

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

Only 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 the junior tennis.

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 #251 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 #763 on WTA list. Tereza’s 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 #1145 on ATP ranking list.
Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #687 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Petra MARTIC, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #110 on WTA list. Petra’s best raning was #63 on WTA list in April 2010.
Indire Akiki, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #718 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 #308 on ATP list.
Giacomo Miccini, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Italy, was ranked #1760 on ATP list in May 2009.

GIRLS
Martina Caregaro, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Italy, is ranked #384 on WTA ranking list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #179 on WTA list.
Ema BURGIC, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #711 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 #919 on ATP ranking list and is ranked #2 on ITF ranking list. Under 18 EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2010 winner.
George MORGAN, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #946 on ATP ranking list and is ranked #6 on ITF ranking list. Under 18 DUNLOP ORANGE BOWL 2010 winner.
Ciprian PORUMB, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Romenia, is ranked #361 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Jennifer Ren, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Great Britain, was ranked #1111 on WTA list.
Silvia NJIRIC, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #593 on WTA list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #179 on WTA list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Emmett EGGER, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #77 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 #1013 on ITF ranking list.
Miki JANKOVIC, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #64 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #72 on ITF ranking list.
Ecaterina Oproiu, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Romenia, is ranked #1750 on ITF ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Mitchel POLNET, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #215 on ITF ranking list.

Blair SHANKLE, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #225 on ITF ranking list.
Anna MAMALAT, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #421 on WTA ranking list.

IN 2005 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM 3 CONTINENTS

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

BOYS
Matteo DONATI, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Italy, is ranked #213 on ITF ranking list.
Laslo DJERE, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #353 on ITF ranking list.
Gianluigi QUINZI, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Italy, is ranked #252 on ITF ranking list.
Nikola MILOJEVIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation tournament winner, from Serbia, is ranked #21 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #72 on ITF ranking list.
Olga IANCHUK, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Ukraine, is ranked #919 on WTA list.
Irina Maria BARA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Romania, is ranked #357 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 #252 on ITF ranking list and #2 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Filip Kraljevic, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #395 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.

GIRLS
Eleanor DEAN, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is ranked #171 on ITF ranking list.
Dina PAOCIC, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #563 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Daniel Maese, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #240 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Aries Wong, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #29 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

Christina MAKAROVA, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #35 on ITF ranking list.
Gabriella Umoquit, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #44 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

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

BOYS
Sacha MERZETTI, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 winner, from Italy, is ranked #19 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Bogdan BORZA, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #2 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Gonzalo MORELL, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Spain, is ranked #56 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Sergiu BUCUR, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Romania, is ranked #11 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.

GIRLS
Ana KONJUH, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #8 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Nina POTOCNIK, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Slovenia, is ranked #18 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Eduardo NAVA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #10 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Tommy PAUL, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #27 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 #266 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 #281 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Mihnea Turcu, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Romania, is still not ranked on under 14 european ranking list.
Grega KOKALJ, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovenia, is ranked *#70 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Andrea Guerrieri, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Italy, is ranked #466 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

GIRLS
Katarina JOKIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked *#56 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 #33 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*. OPEN SUPER 12 AURAY 2010 winner.
Viktoria KUZMOVA, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovakia, is ranked #38 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Estela Perez Somarriba, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Spain, is still not ranked on under 14 european ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Justin LEE, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #1067 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
William BLUMBERG, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#1310 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

Ingrid NEEL, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #63 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Paulina Ferrari, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #996 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.

Michaela GORDON, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #46 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Ashley LAHEY, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#84 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.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Max Motlagh, played 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is currently not ranked in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Claire LIU, played 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #31 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alexa Butera, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#292 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

03/02/11

Karlo Divkovic and Lea Boskovic, both 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 players, won the Croatian Indoors under 12 National Championship

Karlo Divkovic and Lea Boskovic, both 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 players, won the Croatian Indoors under 12 National Championship played last week at the National Tennis Center in Zagreb.

This spring the Croatian Tennis Academy had a training week with Tonejc and his staff in Rovinj and I had the opportunity to see Karlo training in that group and he was training with Smrikva Bowl t-shirt that I enjoyed seeing :)... I was glad to learn about his victory as I was glad to read a week ago about his brother Ivan Divkovic victory in under 16 age group.

I was pleased to read that many other Smrikva Bowl players did well!

Karlo Divkovic’s road towards the victory was the following:

1st round: Karlo Divkovic – Luka Buncic 6:1, 6:1
2nd round: Karlo Divkovic – Filip Matic 6:0, 6:0
Quarterfinals: Karlo Divkovic – Andrej Omeragic 6:2, 6:2
Semifinals: Karlo Divkovic – Renzo Paro 6:4, 6:7, 6:4
Finals: Karlo Divkovic – Karlo Suevich 6:3, 6:3

The other Smrikva Bowl players recognized in the Boys Main Draw who reached more than quarterfinals are the following: Karlo Suevich (finals), Renzo Paro (semifinals), Borna Cilic Kraljevic (semifinals), Roko Savin (quarterfinals), Andrej Omeragic (quarterfinals), Vito Tonejc (quarterfinals).

Lea Boskovic’s road towards the victory was the following:

1st round: Lea Boskovic – Dora Ovnicevic 6:1, 6:0
2nd round: Lea Boskovic – Iva Zelic 6:1, 6:0
Quarterfinals: Lea Boskovic – Petra Pupic 6:0, 6:1
Semifinals: Lea Boskovic – Petra Robic 6:1, 6:0
Finals: Lea Boskovic – Ana Biskic 2:6, 6:4, 6:0

The other Smrikva Bowl players recognized in the Girls Main Draw who reached more than quarterfinals are the following: Ana Biskic (finals), Neli Sunjic (semifinals), Martina Bokulic (quarterfinals), Petra Pupic (quarterfinals).

Congratulations!

31/01/11

Novak Djokovic - Australian Open Champion - donated last year signed Sergio Tacchini t-shirts and caps to the 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 finalists thanks to Zdravec - Golden Honorary Smrikva Bowl Member... Congratulations NOLE for your 2nd Grand Slam Title

Zdravec is a Golden Honorary Smrikva Bowl Member and for several years has been supporting Smrikva Bowl and spreading the word of Smrikva among his friends in tennis world.

Last year Nole started to play with Sergio Tacchini and this famous Italian brand, with whom several tennis legends used to play, is also Smrikva Bowl sportswear friend. With Australian Open victory I am sure that that Smrikva Bowl finalist might even more appreciate this Nole and Zdravec gift :)...

Novak Djokovic is today one of the best tennis players in the World and his funs are spread all over the World.

My wish is that the signed t-shirts and caps may inspire last year Smrikva Bowl finalist to do better and better in tennis...

I like Nole both as player and person and after yesterday victory I recalled words my friend Luca Appino shared with me after he defeated in Canada in August 2007: Andy Roddick (#3 player at the time), Rafael Nadal (#2 player at the time) and Roger Federer (#1 player at the time)... that Nole might be a future # 1…

Nobody knows the future but Novak’s game is further improving… and who knows…

I am glad for Nole, for our finalist Nicolas Kuhn and Karlo Suevich that their t-shirt is more special with Nole’s yesterday victory and I am also glad for Sergio Tacchini…

Sergio Tacchini always endorsed the greatest tennis champions such as: John Mc Enroe, Jimmy Connors, Martina Navratilova, Gabriela Sabatini, Mats Wilander, Pat Cash, Pete Sampras, Vitas Gerulaitis, Adriano Panata, Martina Higins, Goran Ivanisevic and the only wish is that Novak Djokovic might continue to trace the path of the past tennis legends and add his star to the above legends that donated a lot emotions to their funs around the world.