News

13/07/11

Nico Schmalzl, Romy Bitorajac and Armina Izic played tennis in Smrikve today :)

Few days ago Dario Bitorajac brought his family to Istria again and he brought with him Nico Schamlzl and his daughter Romy who both played Smrikva Bowl this year… yesterday and today they also visited Smrikve…

Another talented boy arrived with them… his name is Oliver thus for today we arranged practice matches with young Smrikve school members… Leon, Filip and Karlo...

A visit of former Smrikva Bowl players is always a pleasure and today a girl from Tuzla surprised me with her unexpected visit too… she’s name is Armina…

Armina Izic is training with an experienced and quite special coach… a good Smrikva Bowl friend… who in most of his thoughts is very facinating teacher and I was pleased to learn about Armina’s progress over the last year…

Armina brought with her a special gift to Smrikve she made on her own… that I hope at least partially could be seen on the following picture… the painting is really extraordinary :)...

... and before she continued her trip to Rome she just asked if she could hit few balls on Smrikve courts thus a special double was played… Max and Armina played with Leon and Filip... it was a funny friendship doubles that concluded todays working morning in Smrikve :)....

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.

12/07/11

Top Smrikva Bowl and "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl players on ATP, WTA, ITF, USTA and European under 14 and 16 ranking lists (update July 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 #281 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 #523 on WTA list and her best ranking was #279 on WTA list in February 2010.

2001 – 6th Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Marin Draganja, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #1399 on ATP ranking list.
Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #606 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Petra MARTIC, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #89 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 #674 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 #271 on ATP list.
Giacomo Miccini, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Italy, was ranked #1826 on ATP list in May 2009.

GIRLS
Martina Caregaro, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Italy, is ranked #499 on WTA ranking list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #170 on WTA list.
Ema BURGIC, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #838 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 #909 on ATP ranking list. Junior ROLAND GARROS 2011 finalist.
George MORGAN, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #990 on ATP ranking list. Under 18 DUNLOP ORANGE BOWL 2010 winner.
Ciprian PORUMB, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Romenia, was ranked #195 on ITF ranking list in March 2010.

GIRLS
Jennifer Ren, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Great Britain, was ranked #1215 on WTA list.
Silvia NJIRIC, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #531 on WTA list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #170 on WTA list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Emmett EGGER, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #92 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 #771 on ITF ranking list.
Miki JANKOVIC, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #46 on ITF ranking list and is ranked #1219 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #923 on WTA ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Mitchel POLNET, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #262 on ITF ranking list.

Blair SHANKLE, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #179 on ITF ranking list.
Anna MAMALAT, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #533 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 #154 on ITF ranking list.
Laslo DJERE, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #146 on ITF ranking list.
Gianluigi QUINZI, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Italy, is ranked #74 on ITF ranking list.
Nikola MILOJEVIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation tournament winner, from Serbia, is ranked #23 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #923 on WTA ranking list.
Olga IANCHUK, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Ukraine, is ranked #876 on WTA list.
Irina Maria BARA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Romania, is ranked #138 on ITF ranking list.
Donna VEKIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Croatia, is ranked #872 on WTA list*and is ranked #*26 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 #74 on ITF ranking list.
Filip Kraljevic, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #544 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.

GIRLS
Eleanor DEAN, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is ranked #132 on ITF ranking list and #838 on WTA ranking list.

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

Christina MAKAROVA, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #42 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 #26 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 #72 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Sergiu BUCUR, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Romania, is ranked #10 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.

GIRLS
Ana KONJUH, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #2 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Nina POTOCNIK, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Slovenia, is ranked #19 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Eduardo NAVA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #8 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Tommy PAUL, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #6 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

Ndindi NDUNDA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #2 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Domonique Garley, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #184 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 #374 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Mihnea Turcu, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #437 in Europe in under 14 european ranking list.
Grega KOKALJ, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovenia, is ranked *#252 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Andrea Guerrieri, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Italy, is ranked #572 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

GIRLS
Katarina JOKIC, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked *#33 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 #41 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Viktoria KUZMOVA, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovakia, is ranked #16 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 #377 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
William BLUMBERG, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#536 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

Ingrid NEEL, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #53 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Paulina Ferrari, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #258 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

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

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

BOYS
Alvaro Regalado Pedrol, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winner, from Spain, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Samuele Ramazzotti, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 runner up, from Italy, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Karlo SUEVICH, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Slovenia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Alejandro Davidovich, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Spain, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

GIRLS
Katie SWAN, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winner, from United Kingdom, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Jovana VUKOVIC – JOKA, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 runner up, from Serbia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Inci Ogut, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Turkey, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Arianna CAPOGROSSO, ranked 3rd on 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009, from Italy, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Noah SCHACHTER, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #3 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alex Gee, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #39 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Michaela GORDON, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #8 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Ashley LAHEY, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#52 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 #480 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Claire LIU, played 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #12 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alexa Butera, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#122 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

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

2011 – 16th Smrikva Bowl

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

GIRLS
Olga DANILOVIC, 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 winner, from Serbia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Ksenija Tmusic, 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 runner up, from Serbia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Emilija Kojcic, ranked 3rd on 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011, from Serbia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Betina TOKAC, ranked 3rd on 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011, from Turkey, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

11/07/11

Nicolas Alvarez Varona, 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 quarterfinalist, won a TTK tournament in Madrid and qualified for the Master TTK that will be played in September

I am pleased to share the news just received from Spain where four Smrikva Bowl players of this year edition competed: Nicolas Alvarez Varona, Julio Crespo, Miguel Briega Ramos y Daniel Salazar Martinez.

Nicolas Alvarez Varona won the tournament and in the finals he defeated Julio Crespo, in the semifinals he played with Daniel Salazar and in the quarterfinals he played with Miguel Briega…

With this victory Nicolas qualified for the TTK Master that will be played in September.

For those who understand Spanish I am pleased to post the news received and at the end of the article you will find a picture of Julio Crespo and Miguel Briega made in Smrikve few weeks ago :)...

Congratulations boys!

Nicolás Álvarez Varona vencedor del Torneo TTK Madrid-Avantage en categoría Benjamín Masculino

Se impuso en la final al Campeón de Madrid, Julio Crespo.

Nicolás Álvarez Varona, jugador del Club de Tenis El Cid y alumno del Centro de Tecnificación de Tenis de Burgos, se ha impuesto, en la mañana de ayer domingo, en el Torneo TTK Madrid-Avantage,en la categoría Benjamín Masculino. Ha vencido en la final al campeón de Madrid, Julio Crespo, por 4-1 y 4-2.

Nicolás no ha perdido ningún set en los cuatro partidos que ha disputado.

En octavos de final ganó al castellano manchego, Ismael Molina de Toro por 4-1 y 4-0. En cuartos de final al madrileño Miguel Briega Ramos por 4-0 y 4-2. Ya en semifinales se imponía al andaluz Daniel Salazar Martínez Apa por un doble 4-1 y 4-1.

En la final, y en un partido en el que el jugador burgalés jugó todo el tiempo muy concentrado, se impuso por 4-1 y 4-2 al madrileño Julio Crespo Padilla.

Con esa segunda victoria este año en el circuito TTK, Nicolás Álvarez prácticamente asegura su presencia en el Master TTK que se celebrará del 9 al 11 de Septiembre.

10/07/11

Alexei Popyrin, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 Consolation Draw winner, and Arianna Capogrosso, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 semifinalist, are the winners of the 29° EURO TROPHY PORTO SAN GIORGIO 2011 edition played in Italy

EURO TROPHY PORTO SAN GIORGIO in Italy is one of the oldest and most prestigious under 12 tennis tournaments in Europe and is traditionally played in Porto San Giorgio (Marche Region) in central Italy.

Alexei Popyrin, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 Consolation Draw winner, from Australia and Arianna Capogrosso, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 semifinalist, from Italy, are played the finals in Port San Giorgio today and both were crowned the tournament winners…

I am pleased to recall that Alexei and his brother Anthony were the first players to play Smrikva Bowl with Australian passport living in Dubai and were the first Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors in that area… after them several players arrived from Dubai such as Karim Najia and this year very persepctive and still very young Viktor Jovic…

In 2009 Alexei won the Consolation Draw, but in the first draw he played the Main Draw winner from Spain Alvaro Regalado Pedrol…

In the following video you can see Alexei at the time he played Smrikva Bowl, he was 9 years old, and in the video he is rallying with Jim Courier :)

Before I give you the Alexei’s and Arianna’s final results and the road towards their victories I would like to add that Porto San Giorgio is the town were Gianluigi Quinzi, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, and his brother Gianluca Quinzi, 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 player started to play tennis…

Their father Luca Quinzi is the president of the Tennis Club Porto San Giorgio who organize the tournament in Porto San Giorgio and this year he was at the Smrikva Bowl with Gianluigi’s younger brother Gianluca…

On the picture below you can see Miro Hrvatin, Luca Quinzi and Franko Skugor on this year Smrikva Bowl edition…

… Luca, Gianluigi, Gianluca and all the Quinzy family are long term Smrikva Bowl friends and this year on his arrival to Smrikve Luca proposed to me to think about the wild cards prize for the 30° EURO TROPHY PORTO SAN GIORGIO 2012 for the next year top ranked Smrikva Bowl players which sounded great to me… and sounds even greater after following Alexei Popyrin and Arianna Capogrosso performances on this year Porto San Giorgio edition…

Alexei’s road towards the victory of the 29° EURO TROPHY PORTO SAN GIORGIO 2011 was the following:

1st round: Alexei Popyrin – Nicola Vidal (Ita) 6:0, 6:2
2nd round: Alexei Popyrin – Antonio Taraborrelli (Ita) 6:2, 6:4
Quarterfinals: Alexei Popyrin – Lenard Soha (Hun) 2:6, 6:2, 6:4
Semifinals: A.Popyrin – Felix Auger Aliassime (Can) 6:7, 6:3, 6:0
Finals: Alexei Popyrin – Artem Dubrivnyy (Rus) 6:3,6:7,7:6

… another player that I would like to recall who reached the semifinals in Porto San Giorgio is Samuele Ramazzotti, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 runner up…

1st round: Samuele Ramazzotti – Francesco Forti (Ita) 6:0, 6:2
2nd round: Samuele Ramazzotti – Nicaise Muamba (Can) 6:1, 6:1
3rd round: Samuele Ramazzotti – Daniil Klimov (Ger) 6:1, 6:2 Quarterfinals: S.Ramazzotti-Timur Chelmodeev (Rus) 3:6,6:0,6:1
Semifinals: S.*Ramazzotti*-Artem Dubrivnyy (Rus) 3:6,6:0,3:6

There were several other Smrikva Bowl players in the Main Draw: Riccardo Perin (2nd round), Moritz Thiem (1st round), Anthony Popyrin (1st round) and Marco Furlanetto (1st round)…

…when Samuele Ramazzotti played Smrikva Bowl he was compared to Novak Djokovic, current #1 player, and this year winner of the most prestigious Grand Slam tournament to the most players – the Wimbledon…

… I am writing the above because Luca Quinzi likes to recall that Goran Ivanisevic won Porto San Giorgio when he was 12 years old boy… yesterday was 9th of July and was celebrated the 10th anniversary of Goran Ivanisevic most important tennis victory… it was the day of his victory of Wimbledon… and I am pleased to recall it because from his victory of Porto San Giorgio till the victory of Wimbledon and his entrance into the legend Goran wrote with his racket a great tennis story and is still the inspiration to many tennis players…

on the other side… in the girls draw Ariana Capogrosso, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 semifinalists, reached the victory of the 29° EURO TROPHY PORTO SAN GIORGIO 2011 as follows:

1st round: Ariana Capogrosso – bye
2nd round: Ariana Capogrosso – Chiara Catini (Ita) 6:2, 6:0
3rd round: Ariana Capogrosso – Ariella Curci (Ita) 6:0, 6:0
Quarterfinals: Ariana Capogrosso – Jaimee Fourlis (Aus) 7:5, 7:5
Semifinals: A.Capogrosso – Polina Golubovskaya (Rus) 6:3, 6:4
Finals: Ariana Capogrosso – Rosanna Maffei (Ita) 6:4, 6:2

There were several other Smrikva Bowl players in the girls Main Draw: Giulia Turconi (3rd round), Neli Sunjic (3rd round), Benedetta Ivaldi (1st round)…

Great results!

07/07/11

Even Smrikva Bowl can dance... :)... pictures are taken from the 16th Smrivka Bowl 2011 Ambassadors nomination cerimony...

This winter I read a book named The Talent Code… greatness isn’t born. It’s grown… written by Daniel Coyle…

This book, and a tennis teacher described by Daniel in his book, inspired me to share with Smrikva Bowl kids participating this year Smrikva Bowl a dance with their rackets…

It was the closing of the Ambassadors nomination cerimony when we took the rackets and dancing all together with smile on our faces we spent nice moments together… the kids were extraordinary in their imitation skills that evening :)…

I am pleased to share with Smrikve community and especially with the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 players, parents and coaches that were present that day parts of the book that I also talked about on the Smrikva Bowl Forum the day after Ambassadors nomination…

Mr. David Coyle in that book was traveling around the world trying to understand if talents are born or are helped to develop… and also tennis was among the sports he looked at…

In particular David was impressed by results made in Tennis Club Spartak in Moscow… by Larisa Preobrachenskaya… Larisa passed away few years ago but I am pleased to share part of that book with the group because reading that paragraphs and learning about Larisa’s method… that was the inspiration to me to improvise the dance we did that day in Smrikve…

I would be pleased to quote parts of David’s book from the page 80 till the page 83… in my opinnion it is a book worth having in the library for those who like talented kids and for those who are dedicatint their life to develop talents in any field and also in tennis…

That part I am quoting from the book starts with the following:

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

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

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

It looked like a ballet class: a choreography of slow, simple, precise motions with an emphasis on tekhnika – technique. Preobrachenskaya enforced this approach with an iron decree: none of her students was permitted to play in a tournament for the first three years of their study… “If you begin playing without technique, it is big mistake. Big, big mistake!”

I hope you enjoyed David’s words and to end this article I would like to put a video and dedicate it to Andjela Skrobonja’s father who enjoyed our performance the same way we enjoyed it by doing it… :)

03/07/11

Novak Djokovic - the Wimbledon Champion - donated last year signed Sergio Tacchini t-shirts and caps to the 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 finalists... the story about t-shirts and the news about some top young Smrikva girls :)... and George Morgan!

Novak Djokovic is today the Wimbledon Champion and from tomorrow the #1 tennis player in the World… his funs are spread all over the World… and today he defeated Rafael Nadal in the Wimbledon finals… another tennis legend and behaviour example for the generations to come…

Few years ago Nole started to play with Sergio Tacchini and this Italian brand, with whom several tennis legends used to play, was for several years Smrikva Bowl sportswear friend…

Last year Smrikva Bowl finalists received Nole’s signed t-shirts and caps thanks to the Golden Honorary Smrikva Bowl member Zdravec :)…

My wish is that the signed t-shirts and caps may inspire them to do better and better in tennis… and in life!…

Nole and Rafa are still writing their tennis stories and there are many Smrikva Bowl kids that, inspired by these two Champions, are dreaming and following their paths…

I like Nole and Rafa as players and as examples for sportsmanship conduct…

Yesterday when Nole become #1 player in the World and today when he won Wimbledon I recalled words of my friend Luca Appino…

Luca shared with me a thought after Nole 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…

Luca was right several times… He was right in his tennis career while he was working with Babolat for signing contracts with four future #1 players in the World… Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Safina and Clijster… and one of the tennis and life books I do prefer is his book describing Rafael Nadal as Champion…

Nole become the Champion by playing the Champion today… and for years Nole was acting as Champion and Rafa was doing the same… their attitude is an attitude of the Champions but also an attitude of hard workers… thus if they keep being the Champions there will be more matches to measure their strength and I am sure they both know that new players are working day by day to try to reach them on the top of the World…

I am glad for Nole, and for our finalist Nicolas Kuhn and Karlo Suevich that their t-shirts and caps are even more special with Nole’s victory of today!…

Few days ago, after the Smrikva Bowl finals,… I received several messages and pictures from the former Smrikva Bowl players and I am pleased to share just few pictures with girls who keep working hard to make their dreams become real…

The following few photos are from the “Queenswood International” tournament that has recently taken place in Hertfordshire, England.

On the first picture I recognized Neli Sunjic, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist, and Katie Swan, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winner…

At “Queenswood International” there were 8 boys and girls teams competing – two from GB, Scotland, Croatia, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Belgium and Bulgaria with three players in each team… and Croatian and Great Britain girls team reached the finals…

…and when I looked at the picture of the Croatian and GB team I noted that all the girls are Smrikva Bowl girls :)…

In the British team… a part of Katie Swan there was Anastasia Mikheeva who several weeks ago was in Smrikve preparing for the clay court tournament… and the other girl was Georgina Axon… I remember that Katie Swan asked Georgina to give her the trophy when she won her Smrikva Bowl… and today they are together part of their National team :)…

…while the girl wearing the Croatian dress with Neli Sunjic is Ana Biskic… another Smrikva Bowl girl…

Anastasia was recently in Smrikve and was funny to her to see Katie’s photo in the club… All the girls are today good friends too and have been selected to represent Great Britain in the European Summer Cup in the Netherlands in July.

Another impressive news I received from Romania… where Andreea Rosca keeps having A GOOD YEAR…

This year Andreea was able to defeat several top 12 years old girls such as Sofya Zhuk from Russia, Kristina Miletic from Serbia, also Smrikva Bowl player, and Georgina Axon from UK that I mentioned above…

She made 19 consecutive wins in TE U12 tournaments… and she won all the Romanian under 12 years tournaments over the last 12 months, including the winter and summer National Championships and will represent Romania at the forthcoming European championships…

The girls I mentioned above are still very young but they are all working hard for the game they love…

I learned that the Champions of tomorrow are always different from the Champions of today but I do hope that traces left by the Champions such as Nole and Rafa will inspire these kids to write new and nice stories for the generations to come…

At the end of this long article I am pleased to recall that George Morgan, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from UK, won this year Junior Wimbledon doubles with Croatian player Mate Pavic!

In the singles on this year Junior Wimbledon 2011 the best former Smrikva Bowl players were Robin Kern who reached the quarterfinals and Dominic Thiem and Donna Vekic who reached the third round…

26/06/11

16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 finals and awarding cerimony day... this is the story of the last 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 day :)...

The fifth and last day of the 16th annual it was another day full of emotions that ended with the bath in the Villa Smrikve swimming pool :)…

… over the years former Smrikva Bowl players started to come back to Smrikve and yesterday a big surprise to me was Nicolas Kuhn from Spain, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 winner, and on the finals morning Kristina Novak visit from Slovenia, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist…

Last year, on the final registration day, Kristina surprised me with a special tennis hand made bread and today on the picture below you can see this year Kristina’s surprise… a big heart :)…

The finals are very special moment since the Smrikva Bowl foundation… it is likely the first experience for most Smrikva Bowl players to play with the assistance of the ball boys…

Every year we do our best to set the Smrikve theatre stage for the new actors… and work of lot of people is required to allow them to show their best tennis ability on the Smrikve red clay theatre stage… :)

The 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 first act actors were Olga Danilovic and Ksenija Tmusic from Serbia…

Last year a big Smrikva Bowl friend Luca Appino made a comment that there are two tournaments where the players walk on the court with the bag assistants… the first one is named Wimbledon and the second one is named Smrikva Bowl :)

I already compared Olga Danilovic’s style to Suzanne Langlen :)… and the following one is another one where Olga fly with her racket… :)

This year for the first time I understood the honour of being ball boys on Smrikva Bowl finals…

When I asked Nemanja Malesevic to help the young kids on the net… in ten minutes there were: Daniela, Miguel, Kristina, Andjela, Ksenija, Olga, Sara, Katarina, Jovana, Anja, Ivan, David, Chiara and Paulina ready to be on the net…

… every year I am honoured and surprised to learn how wonderful Smrikva kids are :)

Ksenija Tmusic played great tennis and in some strokes she remind me Jovana Vukovic – JOKA… but Olga was better… and she won with the final result of 6:1, 6:2

On the picture below you can see the tennis shoes Ana Ivanovic donated to the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 edition… and I decided to put this picture just to help to explain the number of talented kids I saw this year on Smrikva Bowl coming from Ana’s country of origin…

Olga Danilovic, Ksenija Tmusic, Emilija Kojcic, Jovana Trickovic and Mihailo Popovic took 5 out of 16 Smrikva Bowl trophies… it is for sure the result of Novak Djokovic, Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic results over the last years…

In addition to that… I would like to remind the more than tennis part too :)… 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…” Nelson Mandela said :)

Since 1996 the main Smrikva Bowl prize was the bicycle… Olga won the first one and the winner of the second bicycle was decided in the second act of the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 edition… the boys finals :)…

The main actors of the second act were: Duje Ajdukovic from Split and Mihailo Popovic from Belgrade…

Split is the native town of Goran Ivanisevic, Niki Pilic, Franulovic, Mario Ancic… and Belgrade is the native town of Novak Djokovic, Ana Ivanovic…

… the ball boys were ready for the big game… :)…

I hope you can get an idea of Mihailo Popovic’s tecnique by looking at the picture below… you can not see the way he toss the ball or the way his arm move because it is a picture but I can tell you that the coordination of his movements are effortless… and in his attitude it is a nice boy… :)

Duje like to hit the ball… it is a big runner… strong beckhend… extreeme forehand… and big fighter :)…

…both finalist’s parents are sport people and their kids are their reflection…

I noted when Duje received the first ball from the ball boy he said “thanks” to the ball boy… and this reminded me Andre Agassi’s school and their Code of Respect :)…

The essence of good discipline is respect.
Respect for authority and respect for others.
Respect for self and respect for rules.
It is an attitude that begins at home,
Is reinforce at school,
And is applied throughout life.

… and this year Duje won 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 edition with the score 6:4, 7:5… it was THE GREAT FINAL… and on the picture below you can see the moment of joy after the last Mihailo’s ball went out…

Olga was the first to sign the Smrikva Bowl US Open ball that was donated to Smrikve by Justin Lee…

Since 1999 it is a tradition to sign the US Open ball.. the first one was brought by me from New York and the second one is Justin Lee donation :)

Duje’s name is just nearby Olga’s one… :)

…the picture below will be added to the wall where the names of other 30 Smrikva Bowl winners are exhibited…

They won the bikes… they won Ana’s gifts… they won some new frieds as each Smrikva Bowl player… they also won the one week stage at Mouratoglou Academy in Paris and also the possibility to play with Wilson rackets… :)

… the awarding cerimony started with calling the Smrikva Bowl kids that asked to help in the ball boys duties… :)… among them there were many that received trophies too…

…each one had the option to decide from whom they wanted to receive their trophy… and the first girl I called Sara Paunovic asked Olga Danilovic to do it… :)

Miguel Briega from Spain asked his best Smrikva friend Stefan Gligorov from Malaysia… :)

Emilija Kojcic asked Jovana Trickovic to give her the trophy… and than the girls reminded me that yesterday was Emilija’s birthday thus they all singed a song for Emilija… :)

Olga Danilovic wanted Kristina Novak to be the one who will give her the trophy for her Smrikva Bowl victory :)… the girls are Smrikva friends since last year…

Alejandro Serrano asked Nicolas Kuhn, last year Smrikva Bowl winner, to honour him for his semifinals reached in the Main Draw… :)

Mihailo Popovic surprised me with his requested when he asked Duda, Sasa and Ari to give him the trophy…

I could say that this is Mihailo’s first unofficial fun club :))… because girls wrote his name on the t-shirts and were cheering for him…

I asked him if he knows what he did to those girls to cheer for him and he said that he has no idea… I did not ask the girls but in their eyes was visible that they liked his attitude… :)

in turn… Duje called his first unofficial fun club made of Leon, Stefan and Stipan… and he forgot to call his sister Karla but she is part of the club… and is the girl that with Duje’s father I saw sharing each moment of Duje’s suffering and joy…

the great moment of bike ride for Olga…

and Duje… :)

In end the winners cut the cake with the picture of all the Smrikva Bowl participants… and it was the cake for the victory, players and for Emilija Kojcic’s birthday :)…

The swimming pool was closed during the tournament and after the finals it was the last sharing among friends of this great Smrikva Bowl finals day that Duje, Mihailo, Olga and Ksenija shared with us… :)…

25/06/11

16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 Draws and Results

16^th Smrikva Bowl 2011 Draws and Results

25/06/11

16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 continued... at 1:00 PM over 90 Smrikva Bowl families and players visited Brioni Islands... and this is the story of the fourth Smrikva Bowl day :)...

The fourth day of the 16th annual it was another long day that ended very late with one of the greatest semifinal matches in the Smrikva Bowl history…

... over the last years the quality of the Smrikva Bowl matches continued to increase and this was another “GOOD YEAR”...

... at 1:00 PM we went to Brioni Islands and… the bus, the boat and train trip should be remembered as something nice… also the elephant said hello to the Smrikva Bowl players and families ;)...

Let me walk you through the day of the boys quarterfinals and semifinals and girls semifinals…

On court #1 the first boys Main Draw quarterfinals was scheduled for 8:30 AM between Duje Ajduković from Croatia and Vanja Dobrnjac from Bosnia and Herzegovina…

Duje played his game and was using most of his ability to create points thus he was the first semifinalist of the day…

Duje is still smaller than most of his competitors on this year Smrikva Bowl and to reach the speed of his balls he is using the forehand grip that very few players used in the history… and it will be nice to follow Duje’s progress of his forehand once he grow up phisically… at this age he is using it perfectly :)

On the court #2 the second quarterfinalists match of the morning was between Alejandro Serrano Osoba from Spain and Nemanja Subanović from Serbia…

I do like a lot both players’ game… in addition to their ability to use rackets I have to point out that they are already tall for their age and they can really hit the ball…

Alejandro was better today and qualified for the quarterfinals and it will play an increadible match in the late afternoon…

I am also glad that our Ambassador Karim Benjamaa from Subotica supported Nemanja Subanovic’s candidacy for this year Smrikva Bowl because it was a nice surprise… I picked up a picture of his serve just to give you an idea of how it already looks like :)... you will note that Nemanja is almost flying ;)

Another complete player was playing on the court #3… it was the thrid quarterfinals match between Mihailo Popović from Serbia and Nicolas Alvarez Varona from Spain…

Mihailo has a very nice tecnique… nice game… and in end he played better than Nicolas yesterday…

On the other hand Nicolas is still training six hours per week which is below the Smrikva Bowl level average…

...the fourth quarterfinals match was played between Stipan Madžar from Croatia and Sergiu Mancioc from Turkey…

Stipan is currently the second best ranked Croatian player on this year Smrikva Bowl and he defeated Sergiu Mancioc with a tight result of 9:8…

I have to note that over the last years the Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors’ network from Turkey positively surprised me in terms of quality of the players… after Berfu Cengiz and Inci Ogut that were extraordinary… this year there were two Turkish players playing great tennis during the fourth day of the tournament…

After the Consolation quarterfinals we started to gather at 0:00 PM for the Brioni trip... over 90 people entered the Smrikva Bowl bus that took us to Fazana… the gateway to Brioni Islands :)...

...it reminded me to school trips… a lot of nice people in a bus :)...

...after the bus we entered the boat :)...

... on Brioni the first thing that our guide showed to the kids and parents was the dinossours footprint… :)... o yes… the Brioni Islands was home to dinossours and today many animals lives free on the island as gardeners… there are over 1000 deers that help to keep the grass in order :)...

... you may see in Mihailo’s eyes the attention of the guide… she must be telling some stories that they may learn in the school in the following years… :)

... also the guide we had for english told me this kids are so well educated :)... and I told her… you know this kids are also the kids who are investing a lot of passion in building their tennis talents… :) and she was glad to hear that too…

... than we entered the Brioni train and we made the Island tour… the first great thing for kids, after we saw the museums of the animals that lived on the island and the museum dedicated to President Tito and Mr. Paul Kupelweiser,... was the train trip to Safari :)...

... we saw the animals that were not hiding in the shadow during the hot summer day… and also the elephant before we left Safari came to say hello to Smrikva kids :))....

... it was a nice trip to me… and might help kids to remember their Smrikva Bowl year too :)

The first semifinals of the afternoon were rescheduled from 5:30 PM to 5:45 PM just to allow the players such as Emilija Kojčić that decided to visit the islands to take the shower before the match…

The first semfinals match was played between Ksenija Tmušić and Emilija Kojčić... both girls from Serbia… they played very nice game… and played their best…

In end Ksenija qualified for the finals… but it was nice to see the fathers giving a hug to each other in congratulating their kids for how they played…

In the picture below you may see Emilija…

The second semfinals match was played on the court #2 between Olga Danilovic from Serbia and Betina Tokac from Turkey…

Both girls like to hit the ball with each inch of their still tiny body :)... Olga was better today and she qualified for the finals…

In the boys semfinals Mihailo Popović from Serbia played with Stipan Madžar from Croatia…

They were both on Brioni Islands… and Mihailo felt sick after the boat trip and had to return from the island… in end they played their semifinals and Mihailo qualified for the finals….

The last match of the day was played on the court #1 between Duje Ajduković and Alejandro Serrano Osoba...

It was incredible match… full of deep emotions for both players and for the people who gather to cheer their ability in using tennis rackets…

The match started at 7:30 PM and game after game started to be clear that it will be a long match… we had to turn lights after an hour of the game…

... there were so many match balls that the kids that were having fun on the courts #2 and #3 come close to the fence to hear the silence and the sound of the ball of Duje’s and Alejandro’s match balls…

They ended to play at 9:40 PM… and in end the game ended in a long tie break with Duje’s victory…

As I said at the beginning of the artilce it could be said that this was one of the greatest semifinals I recall in the Smrikva Bowl history…

Today morning the finals will start at 9:00 AM… the girls will play first and will be followed by boys…

24/06/11

16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 Draws and fourth day results...

16^th Smrikva Bowl 2011 Draws and Fourth Day Results

24/06/11

16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 continued... at 6:00 PM the Smrikva Bowl Forum was held... it is the story of the third Smrikva Bowl day :)...

Third day of the 16th annual it was another long day… it was the nice tennis game day… a lot of nice matches that started with early morning warm up on the courts and concluded at almost 11:00 PM… at 6:00 PM we started with Smrikva Bowl Forum but more important for the kids was barbeque and tennis after the Forum :)...

On court #1 the first girls Main Draw quarterfinals match was scheduled for 9:00 AM among Iva Zelić from Croatia and Ksenija Tmušić from Serbia… both Iva and Ksenija warmed up before the match…

... the perfect Iva’s athletic legwork and perfect strokes did not allowed her to pass into semifinals today…

... in end… Ksenija defeated Iva with the result of 9:7… but more important than result is that Iva didn’t hit the ball today… thus it is likely that we will read a lot about both girls in the future :)...

... on the court #2 Emilija Kojčić from Serbia defeated Snežana Stević from Bosnia and Herzegovina thus qualified for the semifinals of the girls Main Draw…

Emilija is still very tiny and she plays great left hand tennis… and overall is a big fighter :)....

... the third girls Main Draw quarterfinals match was played on the court #3 between Katarina Tričković from Serbia and Betina Tokac from Turkey… and Betina Tokac was better today…

... the last quarterfinals in the girls Main Draw was played between Olga Danilović from Serbia and Oana Smaranda Corneanu and Olga qualified for the semifinals and will play it with Betina Tokac…

...thus this year we will see the semifinals between Olga Danilović and Betina Tokac… and Ksenija Tmušić – Emilija Kojčić... three girls from Serbia and one girl from Turkey…

... in the boys Main Draw the first quarterfinalst was Vanja Dobrinjac from Bosnia and Herzegovina who defeated Peetu Pohjola from Finland…

I already wrote about Peetu’s tecnique… and for sure he is on the right track but Vanja today was better…

... Duje Ajdukovic from Croatia qualified for the quarterfinals by defeating the one year younger player Lovro Suevich also from Croatia…

Duje is the first seeded player and Lovro in turn is the younger brother of the last year finalist Karlo Suevich... it is likely that next year, if Lovro keeps following his brother’s path, may do even more from what he achieved this year…

... also Nemanja Subanović from Serbia qualified for this year Main Draw quarterfinals by defeating Luka Đurđević from Bosnia and Herzegovina…

I do like Nemanja’s game a lot and the way he hits the ball with very relaxed arm…

... another nice match was played between Alejandro Serrano Osoba from Spain and Gianluca Quinzi from Italy…

Yesterday Gianluca defeated Stefan… and Stefan is the player who impressed me in a particular way on this year Smrikva Bowl…

... and today Gianluca played well with very strong and smart Alejandro Serrano… it has to be said that both guys are developing the tennis inteligence in their game… and Gianluca’s brother Gianluigi Quinzi must be proud on his little brother :)

Nicola Alvarez Varona from Spain had to defeated Lancelot Carnello from Sweeden to reach his quarterfinals of the Main Draw…

I met Lancelot last year for the first time and his game progressed during the year… but Nicola was better today and won 9:7… in a hard match…

... the very long match was played between Sergiu Mancioc from Turkey and Daniel Salazar Martinez Apuricio from Spain…

... it was about two hours match… one of the longest matches of the day… with lot of exchanges… and both players were hitting hard… nice game…

... another good match was played between one of the best Croatian player Stipan Madžar and one of the best Spanish players Javier Cueto... and Stipan qualified for the quarterfinals…

it was a very hot day and you may not note it on the faces of the Smrikva Bowl Staff who stand for long hours on the courts with the kids but Mihailo and Nemanja might remember their match also for the weather :)...

and also their parents might remember it for the weather…

If there was a prize for the parents on Smrikva Bowl for watching the match and being an example to the others… it should be given to their parents who watched their match like two school friends nearby the fence cheering together their talented boys… :)

... in end Mihailo Popović from Serbia defeated Nemanja Malešević from Bosnia and Herzegovina…

...it was a nice match… Mihailo is a complete player and Nemanja is a big hitter… and very fast in running towards the net… as I wrote above probably both boys will remember this match also for the very hot weather… :)

Over the years the Smrikva Bowl Consolation Draw became very similar to the Main Draw matches of five to ten years ago and the match between Michele Vianello and Stefan Gligorov was something to enjoy…

Michele Vianello defeated Stefan and the day before also Gianluca Quinzi did it…

...for Stefan Smrikva Bowl was his first clay experience… but in the history of Smrikva Bowl I have never seen such a fast one hand backhand produced by only 30 kilograms of weight…

I wrote about his backhand but it could be said the same for each of his basic strokes…

...and once he starts to hit just 50 to 80 centimetres from the line instead of what he did on Smrikva Bowl trying to hit every time only the line he will not defeat himself on his own if he learns that… ;)

At 6:00 PM we started with the Smrikva Bowl Forum :)

... the idea was envisaged as an informal sharing of views on tennis talent and talent development in general…

I saw it as an opportunity due to an important tennis talents concentration and talents developer we have in Smrikve during the Smrikva Bowl…

Last year Luca Appino, the Golden Honorary Smrikva Bowl Member, was in Smrikve to share his long tennis talents experience with the Smrikva Bowl parents and coaches and this year we connected with him in a phone conference… :)

I am pleased to thanks all the participants and speakers such as… Božo Barun’s father, Romy Bitorajac’s father, Duje Ajdukovic’s father, Adam Neff’s coach, Omer Artsi’s coach, Nicolas Alvarez’s coach and all the people and kids who were present… :)

the day ended with Stefan’s and Jovana’s smile for the camera :)...

and today at 8:30 AM the first quarterfinals matches will start…

23/06/11

16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 Draws and third day results...

16^th Smrikva Bowl 2011 Draws and Third Day Results

23/06/11

16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 continued today... at 6:00 PM the players were nominated Ambassadors and planted their Olive Tree... it is the story of the second Smrikva Bowl day :)...

Second day of the 16th annual it was another long day with a lot of nice matches that started with early morning warm up on the courts and concluded at almost 8 PM with Ambassadors Nomination Cerimony, planting of a traditional Olive Tree, and tennis ballet... :)

Olga, Ksenija and Gianluca were first on the courts this morning warming up with Ivan and Gianluca’s father Luca… and as common sense teach us the early bird gets the worm :)... and Gianluca Quinzi was the surprise of the morning… Ksenija Tmusic passed her round and Olga played the last match of the day and passed her round too… maybe common sense is right… :) who knows… ;)

... the staff was ready as every day…

... and the morning matches started with seeded players… on the court number one Duje Ajdukovic from Split defeated Jan Kupcic from Maribor and confirmed his seeded place…

... on the court number two also Peetu Pohjola from Finland with his big serve, strong forehand and one hand backhand defeated one of the twin brothers Andrija Jevtic from Serbia and confirmed his seeded place too…

Andrija is still small and tiny but in few years time this could change…

... on the court number three Gianluca Quinzi from Italy defeated and surprised Stefan Gligorov from Malaysia…

... Gianluca’s brother Gianluigi is among the Smrikva Bowl winners and Gianluca made today his victory with very smart game…

... Stefan Gligorov is very powerfull player… very strong… but today Gianluca was looking for the solutions and was successful…

Gianluca surprised all of us… his family Carlotta and Luca Quinzi were so proud of their little Gianluca :)... and I recall him when he was 5 years old running around our garden with his grandfather and today… today he was always where the ball was… :)

Nicolas Alvarez Varona from Spain defeated Fabbrizio Andaloro from Italy and confirmed his seeded place… they both showed nice game…

I told to Fabbrizio’s father that his son remind me to Adrian Panatta… very elegant game…

and Nicolas is followed by his father who is strongly dedicated to tennis thus for both players we may hear in the future…

Nemanja Subanovic from Serbia defeated the seeded player Adam Neff from the US…

Nemanja played today better than Adam… with very relaxed arm his balls were really fast… you may get an idea from the picture below…

For Adam, the same us for Stefan Gligorov, this is the first clay experience… only with the experience we learn… just do it…

Mihailo Popovic played Nikola Jevtic... they are both from Serbia and Mihailo was better today…

Mihailo is bigger but they both have a very nice game… the good thing is that Nikola can practice with his twin brother Andrija, while Mihailo with his father who was #1 senior player in Serbia thus both of them have rooms for further progress at home…

...Javier Cueto from Spain defeated seeded player Cezar Cretu from Romania…

... both players showed their ability and Javier was better today… probably Cezar’s extreme grip did not help him today… it is very powerfull but today he needed just a little bit more precission in his strokes…

Daniel Salazar from Spain was another surprise today… he played with second seed player of the 16th Smrikva Bowl Marco Furlanetto from Italy… and was better…

Marco Furlanetto won this year Lemon Bowl but it was not his best day…

Miro Hrvatin’s friend Franko Skugor was looking at some matches yesterday… and he watched Smrikva kids with interest… and was recalling him being that age… :)

I presented Luca Quinzi to Franko… and Luca knew Franko because he played the European under 12 tournaments that is held in Porto San Giorgio and organized by Luca :)...

... thus overall we had great tennis in Smrikve…

and the long second day was concluded with the Ambassadors Nomination Cerimony.

During the cerimony each brought book for the Smrikva Bowl Library was presented and with this year nomination Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors reached 53 countries and all the continents

... they received their certificates…

... and left their signature… probably some of them also understood the story of the given word and trust... Mate Balota :)

I do trust them and it is their word that helped us to reach all the continents… :)

... after the signing of the picture we went all together towards the olive tree that we planted…

and some of them learned also the story of the olive trees flowers smell... and the girl who crossed the world to feel the smell of it… :)

... it happens every year just for a week at the end of May…

and this year cerimony was concluded with a lovely tennis balet and icecream... :)

A lot of good matches are expected today…

I noted over the years that from the first day the quality of the Smrikva Bowl matches is comparable to a second week of a Grand Slam Tournaments…

The day will start with matches at 9:00 AM and for this evening starting at 6:00 PM the first Smrikva Bowl Forum is envisaged…

22/06/11

16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 Draws and second day results...

16^th Smrikva Bowl 2011 Draws and Second Day Results

22/06/11

Some pictures of the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 actors :)... taken during the first day of their Smrikva Bowl...

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

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

Today at 6:00 PM they will become Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors and I would be pleased to walk you through the names of some of the actors you will hear about in this year edition… :)

Let me start to present you from left to right: Miguel Briega Ramos from Spain, from Alcala, the native town of Miguel de Cervantes :)... already very good friend of Stefan Gligorov from Malaysia… both great and inspiring kids… very talented… Stefan played violin as child and one day he may become virtuoso of the tennis racket… Maestro :)...

The other smiling boy close to Stefan is Julio Crespo Padilla from Spain… his smile tells you everything as the smile of Daniela Alvarez close to him… and if you meet the parents of the kids you may understand at least part of the origin of their smile… :)

On the pictures below I would like to continue with the presentation of Mandi Furaji from Tanzania… she has so powerfull strokes… excellent serve, a big forehand… and she is also the first player we ever had on Smrikva Bowl from Tanzania… thus this evening we will get for the first time the Ambassador for Tanzania…

The atmosphere in the garden of Smrikve during the Smrikva Bowl is like the Sunday afternoon at Central Park in New York… :)
the World in one small spot on the Earth…

... and Alisha Ali Hussain on the picture below could confirm the above :)... Alisha is the first player we ever had from Denmark… and as most of the Smrikva Bowl players their origin are always the most different as their passports are several… and Alisha has Pakistan origin as her father told me :)... thus during this evening Cerimony I will please her to try to cover both Denmark and Pakistan for the future Smrikva Bowl talents… she has an excellent tecnique… the forehand that I like… with relaxed follow through that may generate a lot of power in the future…

...on the picture below we have from left to right… Miguel Briega Ramos that I already presented… Duje Ajdukovic from Dalmatia (Croatia)... Duje is the first seeded player of the Smrikva Bowl because traditionally the first seed is in honour given to the best ranked Croatian player… and I know Duje since last year… and in him you can feel the spirit of Dalmatia… the same spirit that tennis lovers could find in the four big names from Split… Goran Ivanisevic, Niki Pilic, Franulovic and Mario Ancic…

Just to give you an example of Duje’s ability with the racket that few weeks ago he played the finals of the Croatian National under 12 Championship… :) and I enjoyed to see him practicing yesterday night with his sister Karla…

“Idemo mala” he used to say to his double friend from Romania last year when they played a funny doubles and I can just tell him “IDEMO DUJE!!!”... :)

... close to Duje there is Stipan Madžar... he is also from Dalmatia and till recently he was ranked #1 in his age group in Croatia… thus I am sure that Duje and Stipan will help each other over the years in growing… close to Stipan you see Julio who was presented above… and the third Musketeer from Dalmatia is Božo Barun... his father helped to grow many Dalmatian tennis players and Božo may benefit from that in the future… :)

Yesterday I had the opportunity to talk to Yshai Oliel :)... he reached last year semifinals… and a part of tennis… Yshai is a boy who over this year with his results helped to write part of the Smrikva Bowl story… and he said to me that he would like to come to practice with Jan in Smrikve while he travels over Europe… that would be nice… :)

The girls below are those who help kids to enjoy the setting of the Smrikve theatre… I took the picture after they stayed for 3 hours on the Sun and you see them relaxing :)... from left to right… Dea, Ari, Silvy and Zrinkic...

On the picture below you see a tennis school book example of the power position of Iva Zelić :)... the same as Duje Ajdukovic she gained the honorary place of the first seed… she is currently the best ranked Croatian player and comes from Zagreb…

On the picture below the girls you see it is not Suzanne Langlen but it is Olga Danilovic... :)... I like this picture and when I saw it I recalled the last book I read about Suzanne and the elegance of her strokes… I know Olga the same as Duje and she is the second seed of this year Smrikva Bowl… this winter she played the finals of the Lemon Bowl in Rome and is the best player in Serbia in her age group…

... her opponent yesterday was a girl from Bosnia and Herzegovina named Zenta Malinović...

... in the following picture I hope you can at least pick up a part of the fighting spirit this little girl has… she played with heart and has an excellent game… it is the top 2 player of Bosnia and Herzegovina and I liked her attitude… she played long points running like Nadal… and in end she was not able to defeat Olga but with smile she shaked her hands and the hand of our Staff Member Nenad who was supervising the court…

... she reminded me to Paula Arias Manon that played last year finals… and when Jan Pochter came close to me I said that and he told me just few minutes ago I said the same to your father :))...

... and for the end of yesterday pictures list I am pleased to share the picture of Duje Ajdukovic training…

Today we continue with the Main Draw in Smrikve and many great matches are expected…

21/06/11

16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 Draws and first day results...

16^th Smrikva Bowl 2011 Draws and First Day Results

21/06/11

16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 started today at 8:30 AM with "Rondo" dancing group.

The balet dancers from the group “Rondo”, the former World Champions, danced for the Smrikva Bowl players the tarantella dance…

With the new countries Smrikva Bowl has reached 53 countries represented on the tournament over the years, and on the 16th annual there are 27 countries represented and many more nations because many Smrikva Bowl kids have several passports :)

The draws are ready and the first matches started…

Tomorrow at 6:00 PM 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 players will be nominated Ambassadors and will plant as per tradition an Olive Tree.

The creation of the Smrikva Bowl Library started last year and the Smrikva Bowl players brought new books representing the culture of the places they are coming from and tomorrow at 6:00 PM each book will be presented.

20/06/11

16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 players list

World in Smrikve ... there are four new countries from which we expect to have new Ambassadors nominated this year: Malaysia, Finland, Denmark and Tanzania thus with the new countries Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors will be spread in 53 countries and all the continents after this year nomination.

The level of the players is expected very high… there are many talented players among 97 registered participants… it should be another good year…

The creation of the Smrikva Bowl Library started few years ago and the Smrikva Bowl players brought new books representing the culture of the places they are coming from… Thank you all!

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

Girls

Iva Zelić (CRO)
Jovana Tričković(SRB)
Alexandra Diana Braga (ROM)
Borna Mahač (CRO)
Helene Pellicano(MLT)
Emily Lossau-Meyer (AUT)
Petra Vračević (CRO)
Vesna Savić (SUI)
Ksenija Tmušić (SRB)
Mandi Furaji (TZA)
Snežana Stević(BIH)
Romy Bitorajac(AUT)
Katarina Duić Plumtree (GBR)
Korina Škegro (CRO)
Paula Joukanen(FIN)
Alisha Ali Hussain (DEN)
Renata Cipetić (CRO)
Nina Geissler (SUI)
Lana Brežanin (CRO)
Emilija Kojčić (SRB)
Laura Benešova(CZE)
Ilinca Arina Baranescu (ROM)
Kornelia Hunčak(CRO)
Anita Gavran (AUT)
Katarina Tričković (SRB)
Eloise Saraty (GBR)
Betina Tokac (TUR)
Monika Dedaj (CRO)
Sara Paunović (SUI)
Anja Lujić(BIH)
Valentina del Marco (ITA)
Daniela Alvarez(ESP)
Anđela Skrobonja (SRB)
Oana Smaranda Corneanu(ROM)
Ines Perić(CRO)
Viviane Handschin (SUI)
Alexandra Večić(GER)
Ema Šiljić(CRO)
Valentina Čavić(AUT)
Žaneta Malinović (BIH)
Olga Danilović (SRB)

Boys

Duje Ajduković (CRO)
Ioan Carp-Carare (ROM)
Jan Kupčič(SLO)
Adamek Makary(POL)
Lovro Suevich (CRO)
Miguel Briega Ramos(ESP)
Eric Vanshelboim (UKR)
Peetu Pohjola (FIN)
Andrija Jevtić (SRB)
Emre Eren Önal(TUR)
Matija Volarević(CRO)
Nico Schmalz (AUT)
Vanja Drobnjac(BIH)
Omer Artsi (ISR)
Stefan Gligorov(MYS)
Miro Mirković (MNE)
Gianluca Quinzi(ITA)
Alejandro Serrano Osoba (ESP)
Matija Žugić (SRB)
Michele Vianello(ITA)
Tim Tekavec (SLO)
Luka Đurđević (BIH)
Manuel Massimino (ITA)
Roko Horvat (CRO)
Samuel Pesko (AUT)
Julio Crespo Padilla (ESP)
Nemanja Subanović (SRB)
Adam Neff(USA)
Nicolás Álvarez Varona (ESP)
Ivan Brajko (CRO)
Fabbrizio Andaloro (ITA)
Viktor Jović (ARE)
Mai Vidovič (SLO)
Leon Jukić(CRO)
Lancelot Carnello (SWE)
Jiri Barnat(CZE)
Nemanja Malešević (BIH)
Herman Hagen Hoyeraal (NOR)
Tian Spajić (CRO)
Nikola Jevtić (SRB)
Simone Padovani (ITA)
Mihailo Popović(SRB)
Cezar Cretu (ROM)
Javier Cueto (ESP)
Filip Olech(POL)
Stipan Madžar (CRO)
Arslan Baković(BIH)
Filip Jeff Planinšek (SLO)
Filip Mišolić (AUT)
Sergiu Mancioc(TUR)
Božo Barun (CRO)
Grgo Dujmović(CRO)
Dušan Obradović (SRB)
Daniel Salazar Martinez Apuricio(ESP)
Gabrijel Kajić (CRO)
Marco Furlanetto (ITA)

The openning cerimony is scheduled for 8:30 AM this morning while, tomorrow at 6:00 PM 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 players will be nominated Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors that will be followed by the cerimony of the Olive Tree planting…

20/06/11

16th Smrikva Bowl 2001 players final registration process started in Smrikve...

Yesterday we started the registration process for the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 edition and as per tradition every player to register for the tournament has to bring a book representing the culture of the place he is coming from thus contribute to create the Smrikva Bowl Library.

During the Ambassadors nomination cerimony on Wednesday the book they brougth will have their Ambassadors’ certificates in it :)... Miguel Briega Ramos brought to Smrikve a big book written by Miguel Cervantes… they are from the same city…

Late in the evening it was a great pleasure to assist to Miguel’s game with Stefan Gligorov from Malaysia… two great players…

The book that Ioan from Romania is signing is named Delta Dunarii… the river that inspired many people… :) “na lijepom plavom dunavu”...

During the final registration process the players get the final instructions and tips that should help them in understanding the weekly program… to remember to wear the t-shirt and cap they get for the openning cerimony that is scheduled for tomorrow morning 8:30 AM… and not to forget the racket during the Ambassadors’ nomination cerimony when they will plant their Olive Tree… :)

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

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

17/06/11

First 16th Smrikva Bowl 2001 players arrived and started to practice in Smrikve... Peetu Pohjola, Omer Artsi and Adam Neff...

Few days ago the first Smrikva Bowl players of the 16th annual started to gather in Smrikve…

The first player who reached Smrikve with his family was Peetu Pohjola... Peetu is one of the best players in Finland in his age group and is the first player from Finland in the Smrikva Bowl history… we did a tennis lesson in Spanish that I hope he will remember :)... he likes Spanish! and has very nice strokes… it is one hand backhand player that is not so often to see in the under 10 age group… but he does it very well!

Omer Artsi is one of the best players from Israel who come in Smrikve with his father and with Jan Pochter. I was very pleased to meet Omer and I was very pleased to meet Jan Pochter too who was last year in Smrikve with Yshai Oliel... 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist… Jan came in our house with the gift like a friend and with his big smile that he always share with people :))

I enjoyed watching Omer’s way of spinning the ball the same way I enjoyed listening to Jan about Yshai’s progress over the last year… I was pleased to see Yshai’s pictures from various countries he visited over the last year… and the picture that I watched with particular feeling was Yshai sharing something with the President of his country… that picture made me feel very proud of little Yshai!....

Adam Neff arrived third in Smrikve after Peetu and Omer… and Adam is one of the best players in his age group in the US... he came to Smrikve with Lance Luciani... Lance to me is one of those people that dedicated a lot of their living to tennis game…

I watched all DVD’s Lance Luciani made on Strategy Zone with Nick Bollettieri and is part of my video library and I am so honored to have since yesterday the DVD compilation received directly from Lance :)... Thanks Lance!

Adam is a great boy… he likes to spin the ball, work hard and make winners… it has a great serve and like to hit the ball hard… I enjoyed watching him today playing with Leon and Max... and my boys enjoyed playing with him :)

Tomorrow more players are expected to reach Smrikve…