News

04/05/11

Ana Ivanovic, Golden Honorary Smrikva Bowl Member, donated again to the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 finalists and Smrikve Tennis Club her signed dress, cup and tennis shoes :)... it is her fourth year in the row donation to the Smrikva Bowl...

I’ve just received the gifts for this year Smrikva Bowl finalists from our Golden Honorary Smrikva Bowl Member and Tennis Star Ana Ivanovic :)

Ana Ivanovic is today one of the best tennis players in the World and her funs are spread all over the World… I am very pleased that Ana accepted for the fourth year in the row to donate goods to the Smrikva Bowl finalists thus I am pleased to nominate Ana Ivanovic and her team member Gavin Versi our Golden Honorary Smrikva Bowl Members… Ana and Gavin were the Honorary Smrikva Bowl Members and from this year I am pleased to add the word Golden to their Honorary Membership.

Over the past years Ana donated signed t-shirts to both Smrikva Bowl finalists and our Tennis Club and for the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 finalists she decided for something different.

This year Smrikva Bowl winner will get her signed dress and the runner up will get her signed cup while the future Smrikve Lounge living room will have a place where her donated shoes will be exposed as her t-shirts are exposed in Smrikve today.

I am sure that 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 finalists will love Ana’s gift and I am also sure that this gift will inspire tham to do better and better in tennis.

Ana Ivanovic gave last year an interview to Montenegro Family, the biggest-selling magazine in Montenegro… I am pleased to post her words again because they are of interest for the Smrikva comunity, our Smrikva Bowl talents and the new talents we expect this summer in Smrikve…

When you were five your wish was to play tennis. Today, you are the main reason why many five-years-old kids want to play tennis. For the children you meet, often you’re seen as an idol. How do you feel while meeting them?

It’s one of the biggest honours, I can tell you that. It’s not something I ever thought about when I was trying to become a professional: you dream about winning tournaments and competing in big stadiums, but this is a whole different side to being a professional. I can see that many children look up to athletes and I take my responsibility very seriously. It’s a great honour for me to maybe inspire some kids to play tennis, and I love spending time with children.

Is it true that the dreams come true if you believe in them, considering the fact that you dreamed of winning a Grand Slam…. and the dream came true. Or is more needed for the fulfillment of a dream?

Believing in your goals is definitely the most important thing. If you don’t believe you will achieve them, you have no chance really. It’s also important to have a good support team around you, starting with your family. I have been lucky in that respect: my parents never pushed me into anything, they always understood me and supported me in the best way possible. My management has also done a great job for me. They help me to focus only on tennis.

What advice would you give to the parents whose children want to practise a sport?

The most important thing is that parents are supporting their children, and that children are playing tennis because they want to play it – not because their parents want them to play. If this is the case then I would encourage parents to support their children, never to push them, and to make sure that the child’s happiness is the overall priority.

Ana Ivanovic motto is also “Never stop smiling” :)

An Ana Ivanovic supporter made a nice video named:“That’s Why She’s The One” but it is not any more available and in every part of that video Ana’s smile spread like the sunshine spread through the clouds :)… and when I watched that video for the first time it made me thinkg of Timon and Pumbaa’s motto: “Hakuna Matata” :)… not having that video available any more I found this one which ends with Ana’s moto :)… never stop :))…;)

As I wrote above in 2008 Ana Ivanovic started to donate signed t-shirts to the Smrikva Bowl finalists. Since than she won Roland Garros and reached also the ranking #1 in the World…

Katarina Jokic, Maia Lumsden, Katie Swan, Paula Arias Manon and Jovana Vukovic – JOKA love Ana’s gift and I hope that her gift will inspire tham to do better and better in tennis…

On September 17th, 2007 Ana Ivanovic has been officially named the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) Ambassador. On that day, in relation with the nomination, Ana said “This is a great honour for me to be invited to be UNICEF Ambassador. I love children, and I relish this opportunity to help them in some small way.”

With her gifts Ana showed that she loves children and this way she also helps Smirkva Bowl development “in some small way”.

“Sport has the power to change the world, the power to inspire and the power to unite people in a way little else can – it is an instrument of peace.” said Nelson Mandela.

Never Stop Smiling Ana and thank you again from Smrikve and this year finalists! :)

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.

26/04/11

Smrikva Bowl players on 36th City of Florence International Tournament 2011... Saska Gavrilovska, Gianluigi Quinzi and Nik Razborsek reached the semifinals of this prestigious G2 ITF Tournament

There were several Smrikva Bowl players on 36th City of Florence International Tournament 2011… among which the best ranked that reached the semifinals were: Saska Gavrilovska, 9th and 10th Smrikva Bowl 2004 and 2005 winner, from Serbia, Gianluigi Quinzi 11th Smrikva Bowl 2011 winner, and Nik Razborsek, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 player, from Slovenia.

Florence International is a prestigious G2 ITF Tournament and I recognized several other top Smrikva Bowl players in the quarterfinals such as: Matteo Donati, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Italy, Antonio Mastrelia from Italy, and Eleanor Dean, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from UK…

In the following you can read more detailed results:

Boys:

Gianluigi Quinzi (Ita) – 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner
1st round: Gianluigi Quinzi – bye
2nd round: Gianluigi Quinzi – Kamil BENMOUSSA (MAR) 6:0, 6:3
3rd round: Gianluigi Quinzi – Tendai TAPFUMA (ZIM) 6:1, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Gianluigi Quinzi – Patrick ELIAS (GER) 6:3, 6:4
Semifinals: Gianluigi Quinzi – Robin STANEK (CZE) 0:6, 1:6

Nik Razborsek (Slo) – 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 player
1st round: Nik Razborsek – bye
2nd round: Nik Razborsek – Joachim BJERKE (NOR) 6:1, 6:1
3rd round: Razborsek – Christian HIRSCHMUELLER (GER) 7:5,6:1
Quarterfinals: Nik Razborsek – Amerigo CONTINI (ITA) 6:4, 6:1
Semifinals: Nik Razborsek – Lukas VRNAK (CZE) 3:6,6:3,4:6

Matteo Donati (Ita) – 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner
1st round: Matteo Donati – bye
2nd round: Matteo Donati – Andrea DALL’ASTA (ITA) 6:0, 6:2
3rd round: Matteo Donati – Yaraslau SHYLA (BLR) 1:6, 6:1, 6:4
Quarterfinals: Matteo Donati – Robin STANEK (CZE) 3:6, 4:6

Antonio Mastrelia (Ita) – 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 player
1st round: Mastrelia – Cristiano COMPAGNONE (ITA) 6:2, 6:4
2nd round: Antonio Mastrelia – Michael RINALDI (USA) 6:4, 6:4
3rd round: Antonio Mastrelia – J.VAN DOOREN (BEL) 4:6, 6:3, 6:4
Quarterfinals: A.Mastrelia – Lukas VRNAK (CZE) 7:5,5:7,5:7

Kevin Albonetti also the Smrikva Bowl players reached the second round.

Girls:

Saska Gavrilovska(Srb) – 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner
1st round: Saska Gavrilovska – Chiara ICARDI (ITA) 6:1, 6:3
2nd round: Saska Gavrilovska – Antonia LOTTNER (GER) 6:3, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Saska Gavrilovska-Petra ROHANOVA (CZE) 6:4,6:2
Semifinals: Saska Gavrilovska – Ons JABEUR (TUN) 4:6, 3:6

Eleanor Dean(Gbr) – 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner
1st round: Eleanor Dean – Giulia GUIDETTI (ITA) 6:0, 7:5
2nd round: Eleanor Dean – Camilla ROSATELLO (ITA) 6:3, 7:6
Quarterfinals: E.Dean – Jesika MALECKOVA (CZE) 2:6, 2:6

Among other: Francesca Palmigiano and Camilla Rosatello both Smrikva Bowl players reached the second round while Giorgia Marchetti did not reach the second round.

The first news from Florence I received yesterday via e-mail from the Golden Honorary Smrikva Bowl Member and Friend Luca Appino who was there with Ons JABEUR from Tunis… and I was pleased to read in his e-mail that he met Saska Gavrilovska and Gianluigi Quinzi that he knows being among the top Smrikva Bowl players in our tournament history.

Congratulations to all the players!

25/04/11

Indire Akiki, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, won a USD 10.000 worth tournament played in Venezuela, while Tereza Mrdeza, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, reached the semifinals at USD 10.000 worth tournament played in Spain

This week Indire Akiki, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, won a USD 10.000 worth tournament played in Caracas in Venezuela, while Tereza Mrdeza, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, also from Croatia, reached the semifinals at USD 10.000 worth tournament played in Torrent in Spain.

Indire Akiki’s road towards the victory of Caracas 2011 was the following:

1st round: Indire Akiki – Mariana MUCI-TORRES (VEN) 6:1, 7:5
2nd round: Indire Akiki – Adriana PEREZ (VEN) 4:6, 7:5, 6:2
Quarterfinals: Indire Akiki – Lena LITVAK (USA) 6:3, 6:3
Semifinals: Indire Akiki – Karen CASTIBLANCO (COL) 6:3, 6:3
Finals: Indire Akiki – Amanda MCDOWELL (USA) 6:0, 6:2

Ranking of the defeated players by Indire are the following:

Mariana MUCI-TORRES (VEN) – ex 513 on WTA list
Adriana PEREZ (VEN) – 569 on WTA list
Lena LITVAK (USA) – 452 on WTA list
Karen CASTIBLANCO (COL) – 473 on WTA list
Amanda MCDOWELL (USA) – 600 on WTA list

Indire Akiki is currently ranked #724 on WTA list.

Tereza Mrdeza’s road towards the semifinals of USD 10.000 worth tournament played in Torrent 2011 (Spain), after qualifications, was the following:

1st round: Tereza Mrdeza – Sara SORRIBES TORMO (ESP) 6:4,6:3
2nd round: T. Mrdeza – Lucia CERVERA VAZQUEZ 7:5, 6:0
Quarterfinals: Tereza Mrdeza – Victoria LARRIERE (FRA) 7:5, 7:5
Semifinals: Mrdeza- G. MUGURUZA BLANCO (ESP) 3:6, 6:7

Ranking of the players that Tereza played are the following:

Sara SORRIBES TORMO (ESP) – not ranked on WTA list
Lucia CERVERA VAZQUEZ – 623 on WTA list
Victoria LARRIERE (FRA) – 356 on WTA list
Garbine MUGURUZA BLANCO (ESP) – 542 on WTA list

Tereza Mrdeza is currently ranked #784 on WTA list.

Congratulations Smrikva girls and best wishes!

23/04/11

Ema Burgic, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 semifinalist, defeated in the finals Donna Vekic, Smrikva Bowl player, at USD 10.000 worth tournament played on Hvar Island - "Biseri Dalmacije"

Ema Burgic, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 semifinalist, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, defeated in the finals Donna Vekic, Smrikva Bowl player (born in 1996), from Croatia, at USD 10.000 worth tournament played on Hvar Island (CROATIA) – named “Biseri Dalmacije”.

Ema Burgic’s road towards the finals of “Biseri Dalmacije 2011” was the following:

1st round: Ema Burgic – Tea Faber (CRO) 6:2, 6:1
2nd round: Ema Burgic – Vivien Juhhaszova (SVK) 6:0, 6:2
Quarterfinals: Ema Burgic – Larisa Sporea (ROU) 6:4, 6:3
Semifinals: Ema Burgic – Evelyn Mayr (ITA) 7:5, 6:1
Finals: Ema Burgic – Donna Vekic (CRO) 7:5, 7:6

Ranking of the defeated players by Ema are the following:

Tea Faber (CRO) – 1094 on WTA list
V.Juhhaszova (SVK) – 634 on WTA list
Larisa Sporea (ROU) – 1155 on WTA list
Evelyn Mayr (ITA) – 398 on WTA list
Donna Vekic (CRO) – ranked #43 on ITF ranking list and gathered first WTA points with this tournament

Ema Burgic is currently ranked #782 on WTA list and was with Ajla Tomljanovic part of the first Smrikva Bowl team to play the 1st “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2002 edition that was played in Texas in October 2002.

Ajla and Ema were under 10 girls, that went across the Ocean to play a friendship match with the top US players. Ema, Ajla and their fathers they made a big trip… and year after year other families and players followed their example :)

Danna Vekic played Smrikva Bowl more than once and her road towards the finals of “Biseri Dalmacije 2011”, after passing the qualifications, was the following:

1st round: Donna Vekic – Alena Tarasova (RUS) 6:2, 4:6, 6:3
2nd round: Donna Vekic – Zuzana Zlochova (SVK) 6:1, 6:3
Quarterfinals: Donna Vekic – Gracia Radovanovic (FRA) 6:2, 6:2
Semifinals: Donna Vekic – Marion Gaud (FRA) 6:2, 6:2
Finals: Donna Vekic – Ema Burgic (BiH)

Ranking of the players that Donna played are the following:

Alena Tarasova (RUS) – not ranked on WTA list
Zuzana Zlochova (SVK) – 368 on WTA list
Gracia Radovanovic (FRA) – 1027 on WTA list
Marion Gaud (FRA) – 672 on WTA list
Ema Burgic (BiH) – #782 on WTA list

The most impressive thing is that Donna is born in 1996 thus this result is a great award for her effort… and Ema Burgic more than a year ago suffered an injury thus also for her it is a nice return towards new challenges…

Congratulations to both Smrikva girls and best wishes!

20/04/11

Katarina Jokic, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, is the winner of the 4th annual ZABA CUP 2011 under 14 age group played in Vinkovci in Croatia.

Katarina Jokic, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Bosnia and Herzegovina won 4th annual ZABA CUP 2011 under 14 age group played in Vinkovci in Croatia.

Katarina Jokic in December of the last year won also EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2010 under 12 age group and her road towards the victory of ZABA CUP 2011 under 14 age group was the following:

1st round: Katarina Jokic – Marija Kelava (Cro) – 6:2, 6:2
2nd round: Katarina Jokic – Ivana Cvijetic (Srb) – 6:4, 6:0
3rd round: Katarina Jokic – Jasmin Buchta (Aut) – 6:3, 6:2
Quarterfinals: Katarina Jokic – Margita Sunjic (Cro) – 6:2, 6:2
Semifinals: Katarina Jokic – Nikolina Jovic (Srb) – 0:6, 7:5, 6:2
Finals: Katarina Jokic – Natsuho Arakawa (Jap) – 7:4, 6:0

Great tournament for Katarina!... I was pleased to recognize in her road towards the victory another Smrikva Bowl player Margita Sunjic who reached the quarterfinals of ZABA CUP 2011 and also Natsuho Arakawa was in Smrikve, while her sister played Smrikva Bowl.

There were other Smrikva Bowl players in the Main Draw but among the best ranked on ZABA CUP 2011 I would recall Viktoria Kuzmova from Slovakia.

KATARINA JOKIC AND HER SMRIKVA BOWL

Herebelow is the picture of Katarina in Smrikve during the Smrikva Bowl awarding cerimony with Luka Panic…

Smrikva Bowl 2008 Winners - Katarina Jokic (BiH), Luka Panic (Sui)

As Smrikva Bowl winner she received from Renaud Vallon Wilson rackets...

and opportunity to train for a week in Paris at Mouratoglou Tennis Academy... On the photo below you can see Marcos Baghdatis with Katarina Jokic at Mouratoglou Tennis Academy :)

That was Katarina’s first time in Paris and she took the opportunity to visit Paris’ tower and also Disneyland. I saw several photos of Katarina and Nina Marjanovic in Disneyland. Here below is one of their photos:

12/04/11

Top Smrikva Bowl and "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl players on ATP, WTA, ITF, USTA and European under 14 and 16 ranking lists (update April 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 #237 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 #1364 on ATP ranking list.
Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #650 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Petra MARTIC, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #115 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 #721 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 #263 on ATP list.
Giacomo Miccini, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Italy, was ranked #1761 on ATP list in May 2009.

GIRLS
Martina Caregaro, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Italy, is ranked #393 on WTA ranking list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #185 on WTA list.
Ema BURGIC, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #703 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 #918 on ATP ranking list and is ranked #3 on ITF ranking list. Under 18 EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2010 winner.
George MORGAN, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #957 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 #612 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 #570 on WTA list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #185 on WTA list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Emmett EGGER, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #89 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 #1147 on ITF ranking list.
Miki JANKOVIC, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #66 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #98 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 #209 on ITF ranking list.

Blair SHANKLE, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #206 on ITF ranking list.
Anna MAMALAT, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #422 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 #212 on ITF ranking list.
Laslo DJERE, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #367 on ITF ranking list.
Gianluigi QUINZI, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Italy, is ranked #94 on ITF ranking list.
Nikola MILOJEVIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation tournament winner, from Serbia, is ranked #20 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #98 on ITF ranking list.
Olga IANCHUK, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Ukraine, is ranked #915 on WTA list, is ranked #70 on ITF ranking list.
Irina Maria BARA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Romania, is ranked #173 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 #94 on ITF ranking list and #1 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Filip Kraljevic, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #423 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.

GIRLS
Eleanor DEAN, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is ranked #127 on ITF ranking list.
Dina PAOCIC, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #576 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 #41 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 #15 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 #59 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 #28 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Eduardo NAVA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #7 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Tommy PAUL, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #17 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

Ndindi NDUNDA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #6 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Domonique Garley, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #283 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 #316 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 *#78 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Andrea Guerrieri, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Italy, is ranked #497 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

GIRLS
Katarina JOKIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked *#60 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*.
Viktoria KUZMOVA, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovakia, is ranked #45 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 #649 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
William BLUMBERG, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#773 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

Ingrid NEEL, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #55 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Paulina Ferrari, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #538 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 #1 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alex Gee, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #47 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Michaela GORDON, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #31 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 ranked #882 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Claire LIU, played 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #25 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alexa Butera, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#235 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

12/04/11

A nice article about Ingrid Neel, 7th "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl 2007 player,published on the New York Times "12-Year-Old Girl May Embody McEnroe’s Vision" (Part I)

I am pleased to share with Smrikva Bowl community an article published last month on the New York Times… the article is referred to a young US player – Ingrid Neel... she played the 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2008 competition.

It is a nice article I received from Ingrid’s father Bryan and is a nice story that I hope you will enjoy the way I did… :)

By HARVEY ARATON
Published: March 7, 2011

12-Year-Old Girl May Embody McEnroe’s Vision

For John McEnroe, a man of impassioned and instantly expressed emotions, hitting with Ingrid Neel was almost a case of love at first tennis stroke.

To introduce herself, Ingrid drew him to the net with a deft drop volley. Then she dared to lob the great Johnny Mac, lofting the ball inches from the baseline.

O.K., McEnroe thought, so this is how you want to play with a four-time United States Open and three-time Wimbledon champion? He retaliated with a drop-shot winner of his own, stepped toward the net, pointed a finger at his audacious new adversary and gave her a look that said, “You cannot be serious!”

But McEnroe could plainly see that, yes, absolutely she was.

“The way she played, the look in her eye, made me think that maybe it was the 2011 version of what I would look like now, only a girl,” he said.

A 12-year-old girl with freckled cheeks, standing short of 5 feet and weighing less than 100 pounds. But McEnroe, now 52 and in the business of discovering and developing future American stars, was smitten.

“I said, ‘O.K., that girl is the real deal, someone I would like to work with,’ ” he said.

This was last October, and McEnroe was getting ahead of himself. Ingrid had come from Rochester, Minn., to his academy at the Sportime club on Randalls Island, which was created last year with the goal of developing tennis players in his unorthodox image.

McEnroe believes that Florida’s live-in tennis academies have created an assembly-line sameness to America’s young players and have contributed to the country’s inability to produce big winners on the men’s and women’s professional tours.

In starting the academy, he envisioned talented boys and girls from not only the New York metropolitan area but also from around the country and even abroad coming with their families to “the most stimulating city in the world” to lead normal lives while learning to embrace their individuality and creativity in a sport that demands it at the very highest levels.

Thus far, McEnroe’s academy has mainly attracted New York-area players. Even Ingrid Neel has a local connection. Her mother, Hildy, grew up on Long Island, a McEnroe fan and trained for college tennis (at Long Island University) at the Port Washington Tennis Academy years after the young McEnroe’s time there. One of her instructors was Claude Okin, the managing partner of Sportime New York, which teamed with McEnroe to create a stay-at-home urban alternative to Florida’s live-in tennis academies.

After reading about their initiative, Hildy Neel contacted Okin, offering Ingrid’s truncated biography: took up tennis at 6; progressed quickly to the point where she was too good for girls her age; is ranked first in her section in the 18-and-under group; and recently created a stir in upper Midwest tennis circles by announcing she would compete this year against boys.

“John was such the quintessential New Yorker and a tennis genius,” Hildy Neel said. “I thought that there was the potential that he and Ingrid would connect.”

If being a natural iconoclast was not enough to make Ingrid Neel the dream McEnroe student, there was also the flattering disclosure that she had patterned her approach to the game after his. In an era of determined baseline slugging, Neel watched McEnroe on video and was fascinated by his knack for taking the ball on the rise, his attacking style and his contortionist’s ability to hit volleys and half-volleys of all angles.

“I always laugh when he’s approaching because he does this little hop,” she said. “But I loved the way he played because my favorite part of tennis is coming to the net. When I go to Florida and other places to play and I come in, a lot of my opponents don’t expect that because they never see it.”

Hildy Neel said Ingrid — who, unlike McEnroe, is right-handed — was never instructed to move forward.

“How you play tennis is a reflection of your personality,” Hildy Neel said. “That’s what she would do when she was little — hit and move in. She would always play in no man’s land, and her coach would never say, ‘Back off.’ That takes a certain attitude, and that’s what she and John seem to share.”

After hitting it off with McEnroe, Ingrid had a recent encore visit, accompanied by her mother and her coach, Brian Christensen. Over several days, she participated in a variety of academy programs — directed by Gilad Bloom, a former pro tour player from Israel — and attended the night of renewed rivalries at Madison Square Garden that pitted McEnroe against Ivan Lendl.

Much to his disgust, McEnroe retired with an injury from the pro set while ahead, affirming the still depressing notion that athletic glory will from here on be achieved vicariously, hopefully with someone like the young and precocious Ingrid as his protégée.

“It would be ironic if I coached a girl to be the best, or one of the best, whatever,” he said.

(continue)

12/04/11

A nice article about Ingrid Neel, 7th "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl 2007 player,published on the New York Times "12-Year-Old Girl May Embody McEnroe’s Vision" (Part II)

(continue)

Attracting sponsors (beyond Nike) to underwrite his academy has been a problem thus far, but there has been no shortage of local parents willing to have the ever-irascible McEnroe lecture their offspring about their critical first step toward the ball.

Last summer, McEnroe and his staff awarded full and part-time scholarships from a field of several hundred players attending an open tryout. One of the beneficiaries, Sabrina Xiong of Queens, the 12-year-old daughter of Chinese immigrants, recently won a sectional tournament.

Yet McEnroe knows that his academy will pose no threat to the brand names of tennis instruction — the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Fla. and the United States Tennis Association programs run by his brother Patrick — until it lands its share of the most gifted and talented players like Neel.

“We have an overqualified staff right now, no question,” McEnroe said. “I guess I have to look at this as a longer-term thing, find the kids who want to come here, whose families agree with my concept, if you want to call it that.”

McEnroe’s belief is that the American system has churned out baseline huggers overdosing on topspin. He said that they play too much tennis when they would be better off working harder in shorter periods of time and developing other interests, including different sports.

Likewise, Hildy Neel prefers that Ingrid’s life, at this stage, not be dominated by tennis. Although Ingrid has won national and international tournaments, she plays ice hockey and piano while attending a Rochester middle school.

Hildy Neel said the family focus had been less on building a national ranking and more on allowing Ingrid to experiment tactically — especially given the likelihood that she has a fair amount of growing to do. Hildy Neel is almost 5 feet 8 inches and her husband, Bryan, is 6-0.

“I really believe that until you pass puberty you can’t overtrain,” Hildy Neel said. “It does more harm than good. But living in Minnesota, where the competition is not cutthroat, Ingrid was good enough to be endorsed for national events without having to only play a baseline game.”

During one of Ingrid’s recent sessions with Bloom, McEnroe arrived to have another look and noticed a man sitting by the side of the court.

“Are you the father?” he asked.

Christensen stood up and said, “I’m the coach.”

McEnroe offered a hand and said: “Good job, man. She’s beautiful to watch.”

Christensen, 50, masked his excitement over meeting the man whose poster from his 2002 autobiography, “You Cannot Be Serious,” hangs in his basement.

“We kind of modeled her after you,” Christensen said.

“Well,” McEnroe said with a crooked smile, “now I know why you did such a good job.”

It all sounded like the beginning of happily-ever-after, but it wasn’t, not yet. Hildy Neel said that although she had family in New York, moving to such an expensive city would present financial challenges to continue the comfortable lifestyle the Neels have in Minnesota.

In addition, they have spent time at the Bollettieri academy, leaving Hildy Neel with the impression that her family “could live off the grounds and still have a normal life.”

But what McEnroe is offering is living large — in New York as well as at the net.

“They work at the net more than any other program,” Hildy Neel said. “We came back to develop a little bit more of a relationship with Gilad and John and to figure out if we did decide to come to New York what this would look like.

“We do have time to make a decision, but we are going to have to make one, probably within two years. Ingrid is running out of competition in Minnesota.”

McEnroe would argue that there is no more competitive and stimulating a place than New York. And that if Ingrid can make it through a session with him, she can make it anywhere.

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

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.

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.

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*.

“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

“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

“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.