News

08/12/10

Smrikva Bowl players on 64th Dunlop Orange Bowl 2010 edition: George Morgan, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, is the winner of under 18 age group

Eddie Herr was a tennis visionary who developed the international junior tournament circuit. In 1947, hoping to provide her with an opportunity to compete over the December school holidays, Herr conceived and organized the first Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships.

Almost every top player played this Championship thus let’s see
THE RESULTS OF FORMER SMRIKVA BOWL PLAYERS ON DUNLOP ORANGE BOWL 2010 EDITION…

George Morgan is the winner of the under 18 age group. Dominic Thiem, Christina Makarova and Christine Kalndler reached the quarterfinals.

Boys:

BOYS UNDER 18

George Morgan (Gbr) – 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up
1st round: George Morgan – Karim Hossam (Egy) 6:1, 6:1
2nd round: George Morgan – Evan Song (Usa) 6:2, 6:0
3rd round: George Morgan – Mate Zsiga (Hun) 1:6, 6:3, 6:4
Quarterfinals: George Morgan – R. Quiroz (Ecu) 6:3, 6:4
Semifinals: George Morgan – J. De Loore (Bel) 6:2, 6:1
Finals: George Morgan – Jannick Lupescu (Ned) 6:2, 6:3

Dominic Thiem (Aut) – 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner
1st round: Dominic Thiem – Marcos Giron (Usa) 6:2, 6:1
2nd round: Dominic Thiem – Marco Aurei Nunez (Mex) 6:2, 6:3
3rd round: Dominic Thiem – V. Manafov (Ukr) 6:2, 6:3
Quarterfinals: Dominic Thiem – J. De Loore (Bel) 3:6, 2:3 ret.

Nik Razborsek (Slo) – 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 player
1st round: Nik Razborsek – Timur Neymatov (Rus) 6:4, 1:0 ret.
2nd round: Nik Razborsek – L.Broady (Gbr) 6:2, 1:6, 6:3
3rd round: Nik Razborsek – Hugo Dellien (Bol) 6:7, 6:3, 2:6

Mitchell Polnet (USA) – “Little Mo” player in 2004
1st round: Mitchell Polnet – Filip Peliwo (USA) 6:3, 6:2
2nd round: Mitchell Polnet – Mate Delic (Cro) 1:6, 1:6

Robin Kern (Ger) – 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002
1st round: Robin Kern – Marco Aurei Nunez (Mex) 2:6, 3:6

Emmett Egger (USA) – “Little Mo” player in 2003
1st round: Emmett Egger – Jeremy Efferding (Usa) 4:6, 3:6

BOYS UNDER 16

Gianluigi Quinzi (Ita) – 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner
1st round: Gianluigi Quinzi – Mazen Osama (Egy) 6:1, 7:6
2nd round: Gianluigi Quinzi – Tyler Gardiner (Usa) 6:0, 6:0
3rd round: Gianluigi Quinzi – L. Pouille (Fra) 3:6, 1:6

Luka Ilic (Srb) – 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005
1st round: Luka Ilic – Brayden Schnur (Can) 6:4, 5:7, 6:3
2nd round: Luka Ilic – L. Lokoli (Fra) 1:6, 1:6

Girls:

GIRLS UNDER 18

Anna Mamalat (USA) – “Little Mo” player in 2004
1st round: Anna Mamalat – A. Stiteler (Usa) 6:3, 6:3
2nd round: Anna Mamalat – Lauren Davis (Usa) 3:6, 0:6

Saska Gavrilovska(Srb) – 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner
1st round: Saska Gavrilovska – Victoria Duval (Usa) 3:6, 1:6

Jennifer Ren(Gbr) – 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner
1st round: Jennifer Ren – A. Semenova (Rus) 6:7, 2:6

Donna Vekic(Cro) – Smrikva Bowl player
1st round: Donna Vekic – Grace Min (Usa) 2:6, 2:6

GIRLS UNDER 16

Christina Makarova(Usa) – part of the “Little Mo” team in 2006
1st round: Christina Makarova – Natella Nabieva (Uzb) 6:2, 6:0
2nd round: Christina Makarova – Ashley Kitchen (Usa) 6:1, 6:0
3rd round: Christina Makarova – Alyssa Smith (Usa) 6:3, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Christina Makarova – C.Harrison (Usa) 0:6, 2:6

Christina Kandler(Aut) – Smrikva Bowl player
1st round: Christina Kandler – A Gerbassi (Ven) 6:0, 6:1
2nd round: Christina Kandler – Francoise Abanda (Can) 7:6, 6:3
3rd round: Christina Kandler – Johnnise Renaud (Usa) 6:1, 6:3
Quarterfinals: Christina Kandler – Alexandra Kiick (Usa) 5:7, 1:6

Please visit www.smrikve.com to learn more about Smrikve, Istria from Smrikve, Smrikva Bowl, one of the most important under 10 tennis tournaments in the World, and Villa Smrikve, for your accommodation with swimming pool in Stinjan (Pula – Pola) if you decide to spent your holiday in Istria, Croatia.

06/12/10

Dominic Thiem, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, is the winner of EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2010 under 18 age group

Dominic Thiem, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Austria won EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2010 under 18 age group.

It is the second great news in just two days after the announcement of Katarina Jokic winning the under 12 age group of EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL.

The Main Draw of under 18’s age group started on November 29th and was concluded on December 5th, 2010

I am pleaed to recall some of the past winners of Eddie Herr International under 18 age group since 1993: Marin Cilic (2005), Kateryna Bondarenko (2003), Ana Ivanovic (2002), Jelena Jankovic (2001), Andy Roddick (1999), David Nalbandian (1998), Ivan Ljubicic (1996), Anna Kurnikova (1994), Marcelo Rios (1993)...

Dominic Thiem is currently ranked #915 on ATP ranking list and #6 on ITF ranking list.

DOMINIC’s RESULTS ON EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2010

Dominic Thiem road towards the victory of EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2010 under 18 age group was the following:

Dominic Thiem (Aut) – 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner
1st round: Dominic Thiem – Karim Hossam (Egy) 6:3, 6:0
2nd round: Dominic Thiem – Lucas Pouille (Fra) 5:7, 6:1, 6:1
3rd round: Dominic Thiem – Dennis Novikov (Usa) 3:6, 6:4, 6:0
Quarterfinals: Dominic Thiem – Mate Delic (Cro) 3:6, 7:5, 6:2
Semifinals: Dominic Thiem – Roberto Quiroz (Ecu) 6:2, 6:1
Finals: Dominic Thiem – Oliver Golding (Gbr) 6:2, 6:1

Congratulations Dominic!

For those who would like to see Dominic with the racket in his hand I am pleased to post a practice he had with Roger Federer :)

Considering under 18 age group of Eddie Herr I am also pleased to recall George Morgan who played the finals with Dominic Thiem on his Smrikva Bowl in 2003 and who reached the quarterfinals at Eddie Herr International. It is another great success of two Smrikva Bowl boys.

George Morgan (Gbr) – 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up
1st round: George Morgan – Michael Eibl (Aus) 6:3, 6:1
2nd round: George Morgan – Michael Redlicki (Usa) 6:3, 6:4
3rd round: George Morgan – Karue Sell (Bra) 6:1, 6:4
Quarterfinals: George Morgan – Roberto Quiroz (Ecu) 6:0, 3:6, 1:6

George Morgan is currently ranked #928 on ATP ranking list and #34 on ITF ranking list.

On the picture below there are Dominic Thiem and George Morgan together as part of the Smrikva Bowl team who went to the US and contributed to the victory of the Smrikva Bowl team on the 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2003 that was played in Texas that year.

Before spending few words more on Eddie Herr International I would be pleased to recall that just a week before Eddi Herr International Dominic Thiem won also XXIV Yucatan World Cup 2010 Grade 1 Tournament.

Dominic’s road towards the victory of XXIV Yucatan World Cup 2010 was the following:

1st round: Dominic Thiem – Daniel MCCALL (USA) 6:1, 6:0
2nd round: Dominic Thiem – Julien DELAPLANE (Fra) 6:4, 6:3
3rd round: Dominic Thiem – Patrik FABIAN (Svk) 6:1, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Dominic Thiem – George MORGAN (Gbr) 6:4, 6:2
Semifinals: Dominic Thiem – Mate PAVIC (Cro) 6:4, 6:4
Finals: Dominic Thiem – Dennis NOVIKOV (Usa) 3:6, 6:2, 6:2

FEW WORDS ABOUT EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR TOURNAMENT

The Prestigious Eddie Herr International Junior Tournament has served as a springboard to the professional tennis tour for such names as Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, David Nalbandian, Anna Kournikova, Mardy Fish, Xavier Malisse, Marcelo Rios, Jelena Jankovic, and Ana Ivanovic to name just a few.

Founded in 1987 by Eddie’s grandson (Glenn Feldman) to honor his grandfather for his life’s passion and success of bringing the world’s best junior tennis players together to compete, the tournament now attracts the top junior players from many nations around the world!

From a humble beginning of 100 participants, over 1800 players representing 92 nations applied for the tournament in 2008, which is currently being held at the IMG/Bollettieri Academies in Bradenton, Florida. Players from over 136 nations have competed in the “Eddie Herr” over the past 20 years, a testament to Eddie’s passion and Vision to bring together the youth of the world!

In the video below you can hear Dominic’s impressions in German after his practice with Roger Federer… :)

Congratulations once more Dominic!!!... and I am pleased to post the picture of Dominic when he won 10 years old on his Smrikva Bowl in 2003.

To close the article I would use Dominic’s grandfather words, who was with him on his Smrikva Bowl,... the words are related with this week tournament Dominic is expected to play and I received those words in his grandfathers e-mail this morning… “We hope he has enough power to bring a good perfomance at the Orange Bowl this week.”

Best wishes!

04/12/10

Katarina Jokic, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, is the winner of EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2010 under 12 age group

Katarina Jokic, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Bosnia and Herzegovina won EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2010 under 12 age group.

Eddie Herr International is one of the most prestigius junior events in the World and is traditionally played at IMG/Bollettieri Academies, in Bradenton (Florida – USA).

The qualifications for the under 12 age group started on November 25th and the tournament ended yesterday, on December 3rd 2010.

KATARINA’s RESULTS ON EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2010

Katarina’s road towards the victory of EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2010 under 12 age group was the following:

1st round: Katarina Jokic – Constanza Gorches (Mex) 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: Katarina Jokic – Krista Cerpina (Lat) 6:1, 6:0
3rd round: Katarina Jokic – Abigail Chiu (USA) 6:0, 6:0
4th round: Katarina Jokic – Theo Gravouil (Fra) 6:2, 6:2
Quarterfinals: Katarina Jokic – Shilin Xu (USA) 6:2, 2:6, 6:4
Semifinals: Katarina Jokic – Sofia Kenin (USA) 6:2, 6:4
Finals: Katarina Jokic – Anastasia Nefedova (Rus) 6:3, 6:0

There were 128 players in the Main Draw! Like a Grand Slam :)

Congratulations Katarina!

I am also pleased to report the summary from the on Eddie Herr International Junior Tennis website:

2010 12s SINGLES CHAMPIONS CROWNED

Katarina Jokic Defeats Anastasia Nefedova to win 12s title.

In a match marked by tenacious ground strokes and long baseline rallies, Katarina Jokic (BIH) outhit Anastasia Nefedova [WC] (RUS) 6-3; 6-0 to win the Eddie Herr G12s singles championship. Jokic used her penetrating and reliable ground strokes to consistently move her opponent around the court and force errors.

After the match, Jokic said she was happy with the way she moved on the court and executed her shots to win the tournament. The new champ also noted it was “very good” to be added to the prestigious list of Eddie Herr champions.

Although she was disappointed with her performance in the final match, Nefedova said overall, she felt the tournament was a good experience.

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:

Just two years after Katarina is in Florida with Eddie Herr International trophy…

Great story Katarina!!!

02/12/10

Smrikva Bowl players on EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2010; Katarina Jokic won the under12 age group; Dominic Thiem won the finals of under 18 age group and George Morgan reached the quarterfinals

Junior Tennis Championships
IMG/Bollettieri Academies,
Bradenton, Florida USA

The schedule:

Main Draw (14’s, 16’s, 18’s): November 29 – December 5, 2010
Qualifying (18’s): November 27 – 28, 2010
Qualifying (14’s, 16’s): November 26 – 28, 2010
Main Draw (12s) – November 27 – December 3
Qualifying (12s): November 25 & 26

THE RESULTS OF FORMER SMRIKVA BOWL PLAYERS ON EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2010 EDITION…

Katarina JOKIC is the WINNER OF the UNDER 12 age group and Dominic THIEM is the WINNER OF the UNDER 18 age group.

Boys:

BOYS UNDER 12

William Blumberg (Usa) – part of the “Little Mo” team in 2008
1st round: William Blumberg – Bernardo Ferreira (Bra) 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: William Blumberg – Valery Kornilov (Rus) 6:0, 6:0
3rd round: William Blumberg – Daniel Cozma (Rom) 7:6, 6:2
4th round: William Blumberg – Julian Chousa (Arg) 6:3 1:0 (ret.)

Andrej Jokic (BiH) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Andrej Jokic – Ivan Jelezovski (Blr) 6:4, 7:5
2nd round: Andrej Jokic – Lutwin Demacar (USA) 6:2, 6:2
3rd round: Andrej Jokic – Calin Manda (Rom) 6:1, 6:7, 1:6

Tommaso Carnevale (Ita) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010
1st round: Tommaso Carnevale – Victor Janglin (Swe) 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: Tommaso Carnevale – Tiran Sanghera (Gbr) 2:6, 2:6

Jernej Zaplotnik (Slo) – 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008
1st round: Jernej Zaplotnik – Neel Phaterpekar (Can) 6:0, 6:2
2nd round: Jernej Zaplotnik – Luke Lawson (USA) 0:6, 5:7

Matic Zaplotnik (Slo) – 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008
1st round: Matic Zaplotnik – Colten Lavery (Can) 6:1, 6:1
2nd round: Matic Zaplotnik – Chung Yunseong (Kor) 0:6, 1:6

Alexei Popyrin (Aus) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009
1st round: Alexei Popyrin – Oh Chanyeong (Kor) 6:7, 1:6

Karlo Boljat (Cro) – 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008
1st round: Karlo Boljat – Bailey Showers (USA) 6:7, 5:7

BOYS UNDER 14

Eduardo Nava (Usa) – part of the “Little Mo” team in 2007
1st round: Eduardo Nava – - Manuel Castellanos (Dom) 6:3, 6:4
2nd round: Eduardo Nava – Tommy Paul (Usa) 6:3, 6:4
3rd round: Eduardo Nava – Zandrix Acob (Usa) 3:6, 6:3, 2:6

Borna Coric (Cro) – 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005
1st round: Borna Coric – Pengxuan Jiang (Chn) 7:6, 6:2
2nd round: Borna Coric – Tal Goldengoren (Isr) 7:5, 6:1
3rd round: Borna Coric – Bastian Malla (Chi) 3:6, 3:6

Aziz Kijametovic (BiH) – 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006
1st round: A.Kijametovic – Sebastian Santibanez (Chi) 1:6,6:4,6:4
2nd round: Aziz Kijametovic – Peter Ashley (Gbr) 1:6, 4:6

Tommy Paul (Usa) – part of the “Little Mo” team in 2007
1st round: Tommy Paul – Elias Ymer-Wondwosen (Swe) 7:5, ret.
2nd round: Tommy Paul – Eduardo Nava (Usa) 3:6, 4:6

BOYS UNDER 16

Gianluigi Quinzi (Ita) – 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner
1st round: Gianluigi Quinzi – Javier Pujol (Esp) 6:2, 6:1
2nd round: Gianluigi Quinzi – Brayden Schnur (Can) 6:3, 6:2
3rd round: Gianluigi Quinzi – Markus Ahne (Aut) 6:2, 1:6, 4:6

Luka Ilic (Srb) – 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005
1st round: Luka Ilic – Tavis Saunders (Aus) 6:3, 6:1
2nd round: Luka Ilic – Siyu Liu (Chn) 6:3, 7:5
3rd round: Luka Ilic – Roy Lederman (Usa) 1:6, 0:6

BOYS UNDER 18

Dominic Thiem (Aut) – 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner
1st round: Dominic Thiem – Karim Hossam (Egy) 6:3, 6:0
2nd round: Dominic Thiem – Lucas Pouille (Fra) 5:7, 6:1, 6:1
3rd round: Dominic Thiem – Dennis Novikov (Usa) 3:6, 5:4, 6:0
Quarterfinals: Dominic Thiem – Mate Delic (Cro) 3:6, 7:5, 6:2
Semifinals: Dominic Thiem – Roberto Quiroz (Ecu) 6:2, 6:1
Finals: Dominic Thiem – Oliver Golding (Gbr) 6:2, 6:1

Robin Kern (Ger) – 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002
1st round: Robin Kern – Bjorn Fratangelo (Usa) 3:6, 1:6

Girls:

GIRLS UNDER 12

Katarina Jokic (BiH) – 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner
1st round: Katarina Jokic – Constanza Gorches (Mex) 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: Katarina Jokic – Krista Cerpina (Lat) 6:1, 6:0
3rd round: Katarina Jokic – Abigail Chiu (USA) 6:0, 6:0
4th round: Katarina Jokic – Theo Gravouil (Fra) 6:2, 6:2 Quarterfinals: Katarina Jokic – Shilin Xu (USA) 6:2, 2:6, 6:4
Semifinals: Katarina Jokic – Sofia Kenin (USA) 6:2, 6:4
Finals: Katarina Jokic – Anastasia Nefedova (Rus) 6:3, 6:0

Ena Delibegovic (Cro) – 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008
1st round: Ena Delibegovic – Nicole Bunea (Can) 6:0, 6:1
2nd round: Ena Delibegovic – Yuliana Monroy (Col) 6:2, 6:0
3rd round: Ena Delibegovic – Sofia Kenin (USA) 0:6, 4:6

Inci Ogut (Tur) – 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008
1st round: Inci Ogut – Sarka Richterova (Cze) 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: Inci Ogut – Jovana Knezevic (Cyp) 3:6, 3:6

Gabriella Taylor (Tur) – 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008
1st round: Gabriella Taylor – Dana Singer (Can) 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: Gabriella Taylor – Priyanka Sundhar (USA) 4:6, 2:6

Neli Sunjic (Cro) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 runner up
1st round: Neli Sunjic – Lim Haeun (Kor) 6:3, 6:3
2nd round: Neli Sunjic – Akshara Iska (Ind) 0:6, 4:6

GIRLS UNDER 14

Ana Konjuh (Cro) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up
1st round: Ana Konjuh – bye
2nd round: Ana Konjuh – Ekaterina Popova (Rus) 3:6, 4:6

Margita Sunjic (Cro) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Margita Sunjic – Maria Korshunova (Usa) 6:0, 6:2
2nd round: Margita Sunjic – Qiuyu Ye (Chn) 4:6, 0:6

Katie Boulter (Gbr) – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007
1st round: Katie Boulter – Natalia Suk (Usa) 3:6, 6:2, 6:4
2nd round: K.Boulter – Yana MogIlnitskaya (Rus) 6:4, 1:6, 6:7

Jana Fett (Cro) – 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005
1st round: Jana Fett – bye
2nd round: Jana Fett – Tornado Black (Usa) 0:6, 1:6

GIRLS UNDER 16

Christina Makarova(Usa) – part of the “Little Mo” team in 2006
1st round: Christina Makarova – Naomi Tran (Aus) 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: Christina Makarova – Marina Albert (Usa) 6:0, 6:0
3rd round: Christina Makarova – Alexandra Kiick (Usa) 4:6, 4:6

GIRLS UNDER 18

Saska Gavrilovska(Srb) – 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner
1st round: Saska Gavrilovska – Gaia Sanesi (Ita) 6:3, 6:1
2nd round: Saska Gavrilovska – Victoria Duval (Usa) 0:6, 6:1, 1:6

Christina Kandler(Aut) – 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005
1st round: Christina Kandler – Sachia Vickery (Usa) 7:6, 5:0 ret.
2nd round: Christina Kandler – Jovana Jaksic (Srb) 3:6, 4:6

27/11/10

Kristina Novak, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist, won the under 12 Zagi Cup

I just received the news that Kristina Novak, the top Slovenian player, who reached this year semifinals on the Smrikva Bowl won her first under 12 tennis tournament that was played in Zagreb.

Zagi Cup gathered 32 players from Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Kristina Novak is only 10 years old but this summer after Smrikva Bowl she lived several important growing experiences.

Kristina visited her new Smrikva Bowl friends in Switzerland and trained at TIF tennis academy in Frenkendorf near Basel.

Kristina went there thanks to the friendship created this year Swiss trainer Nicol Zuger and the players Vesna Savic, Joanne and Zina... it was another tennis and friendship experience to her…

Once she returned from Frenkendorf she worked with Luca Appino in Aosta at the end of September for a week and this was another valuable experience for her human and tennis development. Kristina was there with her friend Joka – this year Smrikva Bowl winner :)

Luca Appino dedicated important part of his time to the talents scouting. He took under contracts various young and unknown players from 11 to 15 years old and later on four of them reached the #1 position in the ATP and WTA: Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal, Kim Clijsters and Dinara Safina. Among other selected, many of them entered the world tennis elite.

After Aosta she went to Gardaland and back home she won the under 11 Master!

... and now just few months after her first under 12 tournament victory!

Congratulations Kristina!

25/11/10

Brandon Nakashima, Govind Nanda, Scott Sculley, Adam Neff, Josie Frazier, Sophie Edwards and Jillian Taggert are the top "Little Mo" Nationals players invited to play 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 edition

A month ago the “Little Mo” Nationals have been completed and in the following weeks the “Little Mo” International will be played in Florida.

Smrikva Bowl and “Little Mo” had a long term relationship created in 2002 when the “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl competition was created.

“Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl story...

In 2002, the Smrikve Tennis Club and the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation have created “Little Mo”/ Smrikva Bowl, the first-ever international competition between the United States and Europe for boys and girls 10 & under.

Traditionally the winner and runners up of Boys and Girls 9 were eligible to represent the “Little Mo” team over the last sever years. If they were not able to come they were replaced with other top players selected by MCB Tennis Foundation.

The “Little Mo”/ Smrikva Bowl was a unique and traditional meeting of the youngest and most talented players in the World.

At the time Smrikva Bow was mainly European competition and year after year it was growing into a Global competition…

The very same also happened with the MCB Tennis Foundation programme where Carol Weyman has been developing the “Little Mo” International format in the last years thus, after nine “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl editions, we decided that this year top “Little Mo” National players will have the opportunity to be the first generation of the top “Little Mo” National players to compete directly in the Smrikva Bowl.

I am pleased to congratulate the “Little Mo” players invited to play 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011:

Boys:
1. Brandon Nakashima – „Little Mo“ Nationals winner
2. Govind Nanda – „Little Mo“ Nationals runner up
3. Scott Sculley
4. Adam Neff

Girls:
1. Josie Frazier – „Little Mo“ Nationals winner
2. Sophie Edwards – „Little Mo“ Nationals runner up
3. Jillian Taggert

and I am also pleased to recall the “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl players that competed in this event that from this historical event that lasted 9 years and is evolving into this new opportunity…

Former “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl players include a long list and they are:

1st “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2002
Jordaan Sanford (USA), Morgan Basil (USA), Ajla Tomljanovic (Cro), Ema Burgic (BiH).

2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2003
Emmett Egger (USA), Robert Stineman (USA), Karen Forman (USA), Katie Klyczek (USA), Jennifer Ren (UK), Silvia Njiric (Cro), Dominic Thiem (A), George Morgan (UK)

3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2004
Mitchel Polnet (USA), Rayan Andrada (USA), Blair Shankle (USA), Anna Mamalat (USA), Ivan Levar (Cro), Miki Jankovic (Srb), Saska Gavrilovska (Srb), Ecaterina Opriou (Rum)

4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2005
Jeffrey Schorsch (USA), Jose Gracia (USA), Yale Goldberg (USA), Dorothy Tang (USA), Saska Gavrilovska (Srb), Olga Yanchuk (Ukr), Matteo Donati (I), Gyore Laszlo (Srb), Gianluigi Quinzi (I), Harry Busby (UK)

5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2006
Daniel Maese (USA), Aries Wong (USA), Christina Makarova (USA), Gabriella Umoquit (USA), Gianluigi Quinzi (I), Filip Kraljevic (Cro), Eleonor Dean (UK), Dina Paocic (BiH),

6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2007
Eduardo Nava (USA), Tommy Paul (USA), Ndindi Ndunda (USA), Domonique Garley (USA), Sacha Merzetti (I), Bogdan Borza (Rom), Virginia Pena (Esp), Ana Konjuh (Cro).

7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2008
Justin Lee (USA), William Blumberg (USA), Ingrid Neel (USA), Luka Panic (Sui), Mihnea Turcu (Rom), Katarina Jokic (BiH), Maia Lumsden (Sco).

8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2009
Noah Schachter (USA), Alex Gee (USA), Michaela Gordon (USA), Ashley Lahey (USA), Alvaro Regalado Pedrol (Esp), Samuele Ramazzotti (Ita), Katie Swan (Uk), Jovana Vukovic (Srb).

9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2010
Max Motlagh (USA), Claire Liu (USA) and Alexa Butera (USA), Nicola Kuhn (Esp), Karlo Suevich (Cro), Jovana Vukovic (Srb), Paula Arias Manon (Esp).

Carol Weyman was pleased to let you have the invitation before Thanksgiving holiday, thus I hope that with the turkey on the table this letter might be also something nice to share with parents, grandparents that will join you for the holiday…

I learned that traditionally, thanksgiving has been a time to give thanks for a bountiful harvest and was time to express thankfulness for built relationships and material possessions.

This year “Little Mo” Nationals results is your harvest. After hard work there was a trophy and now this invitation to visit Europe…

Once again congratulations for your success on the Nationals and I hope to meet you in Pula next summer!

Best wishes to those of you who will be competing in the following weeks in Florida on “Little Mo” International.

Mio

18/11/10

12th International Tennis Symposium held at Sporting Club Milano 3 - Milan (Italy)

I spent this week end at Sporting Club Milano 3 in Milan participating the 12th International Tennis Symposium. There were planty of interesting speakers. It was an opportunity to meet PTR old tennis friends, buy some new books and meet new people.

Massimo Rossi, Enzo Anderloni (Tennis Italiano Director) and Mauro Campanelli have chosen a timely topic for this year Symposium, with roots going back to the origin of mankind, Adam “against “Eva :)

Are there differences in the technical preparation and athletics for male and female player? was the key topic… and the answer was that there was no particular differences… :)

In the following I will give a very short overview of the various topics presented.

Alberto Castellani and Fabio Menabue openned the session with “Women and men: different gender identity, human identity”.

Alberto Castellani, a part of being a great coach, is a great fun of the culture, art and history thus his presentation was very deep and significant to me :)

Alberto’s discussion was followed by Fabio Menabue intervention who recently wrote a book “Il tennis giocato dentro! Capire e allenare la parte umana e mentale di un atleta” thus he took time to present some interesting issues presented in the book via practical excercises.

Luca Mondazzi spoke about “Dieat and dietary supplements specifically for the tennis player”. This part was very interesting to me. It was all about energy optimisation in the muscles with many interesting reaserch statistics.

Massimo Pucci is the trainer of Andrey Golubev since he was 14 years old and his topic was: “Discovery, progression and evolution of Andrey Golubev”.

It was interesting to follow deep changes Andrey made with Massimo to change his double hand backhand into one hand backhand and also the ability to change the serve…

Chips Brooks concluded the first day of the Symposium talking about Bollettieri method and the IMG Academies system.

The part that I enjoyed mostly listening to Mr. Brooks was his ability to help players in improving their tennis strokes. He was able to help them in so short period thus demonstrating his great experience and knowledge.

Claudio Rigolo introduced “Wheelchair tennis, our perceptions in the dynamics of the movement…” There were three players with Claudio helping him in presenting his part and doing exercises… one girl and two boys…

It was very strong the story of the girl that never played any sport and tennis helped her to re start to feel her body…

The other boy of the group never played tennis and reached #107 in the World… but particularly strong was to me the story of a boy who played tennis for 10 years and at age of 15 he wasn’t able to use his legs and was forced to stay in wheelchair…

He was very short in saying how bad he felt and that he did not like to see the racket after the accident… he casually met the other boy that was with Claudio on the Symposium and one day just woke up and decided that he would try to play tennis again…

He said with smile on her face that today the most beautiful moment of his day is when he is on the court… :)

He is still practicing but from what he showed on Symposium I think he could be one of the top players in the World once he starts to play tournaments.

Fabrizio Caldarone prsented “Life on tour – views on tennis industry & player management”... this was another interesting presentation touching various aspects linked with professional tennis world.

Fabrizio is currently developing its own tennis management company, after spending some years with Prince, and in his new ventures is, among other, also cooperating with tennis PRO Umberto Bedolo, father of the Smrikva Bowl player Mattia…

After Symposium he flew to Tanzania following a nice project to bring tennis also to kids that have less opportunities…

Massimo Sartori made a fantastic presentation about the unders named: “Winning strategy in the growth of under”...

He used as reference case study his player Andrea Seppi and was helped by his daughther Giulia (under 12) and little Federico (under 10) for demonstrations of the abilities in various age groups… it was very nice presentation…

The last speaker of the second day was Daniel Romero who presented “Accident prevention fro men and women players according to the method Sanchez-Casal”... it was a detailed and analytic presentation supported by University studies…

This was my second Symposium in Milan but every PTR gathering is growing tennis experience and opportunity to meet PTR friends.

15/11/10

Top Smrikva Bowl and "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl players on ATP, WTA, ITF, USTA and European under 14 and 16 ranking lists (update November 2010)

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 #253 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, is ranked #981 on WTA list. Astrid’s 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 #673 on WTA list. Tereza’s best ranking was #279 on WTA list in February 2010.

2001 – 6th Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Marin Draganja, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #1138 on ATP ranking list.
Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #723 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Petra MARTIC, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #144 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 #707 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 #353 on ATP list.
Giacomo Miccini, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Italy, was ranked #1754 on ATP list in May 2009.

GIRLS
Martina Caregaro, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Italy, is ranked #384 on WTA ranking list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #157 on WTA list.
Ema BURGIC, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #585 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 #902 on ATP ranking list.
George MORGAN, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #917 on ATP ranking list.
Ciprian D, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Romenia, is ranked #314 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Jennifer Ren, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Great Britain, was ranked #971 on WTA list.
Silvia NJIRIC, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #591 on WTA list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #157 on WTA list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Emmett EGGER, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #215 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 #1559 on ITF ranking list.
Miki JANKOVIC, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #101 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #85 on ITF ranking list.
Ecaterina Oproiu, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Romenia, is ranked #1948 on ITF ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Mitchel POLNET, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #342 on ITF ranking list.

Blair SHANKLE, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #486 on ITF ranking list.
Anna MAMALAT, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #918 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 #424 on ITF ranking list.
Laslo DJERE, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #533 on ITF ranking list.
Gianluigi QUINZI, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Italy, is ranked #335 on ITF ranking list.
Nikola MILOJEVIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation tournament winner, from Serbia, is ranked #81 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #85 on ITF ranking list.
Olga IANCHUK, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Ukraine, is ranked #922 on WTA list.
Irina Maria BARA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, from Romania, is ranked #384 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 #335 on ITF ranking list.
Filip Kraljevic, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #201 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

GIRLS
Eleanor DEAN, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is ranked #251 on ITF ranking list.
Dina PAOCIC, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #253 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Daniel Maese, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #297 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Aries Wong, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #26 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

Christina MAKAROVA, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #2 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Gabriella Umoquit, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #65 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

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

BOYS
Sacha Merzetti, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 winner, from Italy, is ranked #124 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Bogdan BORZA, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #40 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Gonzalo Morell, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Spain, is ranked #190 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Sergiu Bucur, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Romania, is ranked #81 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.

GIRLS
Ana KONJUH, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #18 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Nina POTOCNIK, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Slovenia, is ranked #67 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Eduardo NAVA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #14 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Tommy PAUL, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #43 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

Ndindi NDUNDA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #30 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Domonique Garley, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #305 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 too young for under 14 european ranking.
Mihnea Turcu, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Romania, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Grega Kokalj, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovenia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Andrea Guerrieri, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Italy, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

GIRLS
Katarina Jokic, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #90 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Maia Lumsden, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Scotland, is ranked #181 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Viktoria Kuzmova, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovakia, is ranked #275 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Estela Perez Somarriba, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Spain, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Justin LEE, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #19 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
William BLUMBERG, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #2 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Ingrid NEEL, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #33 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Paulina Ferrari, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #44 in the USA in under 12 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 #4 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alex Gee, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #85 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Michaela GORDON, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #101 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Ashley LAHEY, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#126 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 #73 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alexa Butera, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#639 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

09/11/10

Rafaela Sliskovic, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 quarterfinalist, won "Kup lavića 2010" - an important under 12 tournament and this is her first under 12 victory

I just received the news from Rafa’s mother Antonela that Rafa won her first under 12 tournament named “Kup lavića 2010”.

“Kup lavića” could be translated in swahili language also as Simba Cup and both Croatian tennis stars Mario Ancic and Petra Martic, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2011 winner, won this prestigious tournament.

Rafaela Sliskovic played the quarterfinals against Jovana Vukovic – Joka on this year Smrikva Bowl and showed her great potential.

Luca Appino, who is credited for signing contract with four players that reached the World ranking #1 (Rafa, Roddick, Safina and Clijster), noted the Dalmatian Rafa in the match before quarterfinals and told me that he liked that girl :).

In the picture below you can see Rafa and her mother before that quarterfinals match. Mother’s advise was to Rafa every day the same… “just keep smiling :)”… for me it is a parents’ attitude to take as example :)

Rafa still plays in the group and her love for tennis might help her to realize good part of the potential she has.

07/11/10

Istria - Istra was indicated by prestigious travel information guide Lonely Planet as #2 Region in the World recommended to be visited in 2011 :)

I am very pleased to share with Smrikve community and Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors that started to be also cultural Ambassadors of Smrikva and Istria since we started to create the Smrikva Bowl Library and since Istria from Smirkve cultural book was put on line… the news that Lonely Planet just included these days Istria on her preferred recommended list of Regions to be visited in 2011 :)

Istra was indicated as # 2 destination in absolute ranking after Peninsula Sinai in Egypt. A part of sharing this top ranking both peninsulas have a form of a heart :)...

I am pleased to let you know that we are honoured to have in Discover Istria from Smrikve Group on Linked in the girl, also known as Everthenomad, who with her writing and work have contributed to that result…

Thanks Anja for giving voice to this Region and spreading the word :)... thanks also to the Smrikve community spread via our little Champions in 49 countries and all the continents for doing the same… ;)

To learn more about ISTRIA – the region where Smrikva Bowl is played please visit:

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

02/11/10

Kristijan Mesaros defeated in the finals Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, at USD 30.000 worth tournament played in Dubrovnik

Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, reached this week the finals of USD 30.000 ITF worth tournament played in Dubrovnik and he played in the finals against Kristijan Mesaros – Kiki, who trained several years ago with Miro Hrvatin in Smrikve and is currently ranked #430 on ATP list.

Dino is currently ranked #1088 on ATP list, his road towards the finals of USD 30.000 Dubrovnik 2010 was the following:

1st round: Dino Marcan – Tim NEKIC (GER) 6:1, 6:4
2nd round: Dino Marcan – Toni ANDROIC (CRO) 6:1, 6:2
Quarterfinals: Dino Marcan – Ivan BJELICA (SRB) 6:4, 6:1
Semifinals: Dino Marcan – Mirza BASIC (BIH) 6:3, 1:6, 6:3
Finals: Dino Marcan – Kristijan Mesaros (CRO) 2:6, 4:6

The ranking of the players that Dino played in Dubrovnik is the following:

Tim NEKIC (GER) – # not ranked
Toni ANDROIC (CRO) – # 832 ATP list
Ivan BJELICA (SRB) – # 500 ATP list
Mirza BASIC (BIH) – # 541 ATP list
Kristijan Mesaros (CRO) – #430 ATP list

There were several other Smrikva Bowl names that I recognized in the Main Draw:

Javier Marti, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, currently ranked #346 lost in the second round against Ivan Bjelica. Antonio Lupieri who also played Smrikva Bowl in 2002 lost in the first round. Matej Sabanov who also played Smrikva Bowl in 2002 lost in the first round.

Congratulations Kiki and Dino!

28/10/10

Letter from Carol Weyman - Executive Vice-President of Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation - related with the 4th "Little Mo" International Open 2010

In 2002, the Smrikve Tennis Club joined forces with the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation and created the first-ever international competition between the United States and Europe for boys and girls under 10 and named it the “Little Mo”/ Smrikva Bowl. This event was a unique and traditional meeting of the youngest and most talented players in the World.

Since 2002 Smrikva Bowl and “Little Mo” tournaments has both grown into Global Tournaments and this year we played 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl thus from the next year for the first time the best “Little Mo” Nationals players will have the opportunity to play directly in the Smrikva Bowl.

Sveral years ago MCB Tennis Foundation created the Little Mo International Open that is a global tournament open to the players in age groups under 8 – 12 and I am pleased to share with the Smrikva Bowl community the information I just received from the Executive Vice President of the MCB Tennis Foundation – Mrs Carol Weyman.

ENJOY CAROL’S INVITATION LETTER ADRESSED TO ALL THE TALENTED PLAYERS AROUND THE GLOBE TO JOIN THE MCB EVENT 4th “Little MO” International THIS DECEMBER IN FLORIDA AND TAKE THE OPPORTUNITY TO PLAY TENNIS WITH OTHER TALENTED KIDS, VISIT FLORIDA AND ALSO VISIT DISNEYLAND :)

Dear Players and Parents,

Greetings from the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation. We hope you have been well and have had a great year. Just wanted to let you know about our upcoming “Little Mo” Internationals which will be held at the prestigious IMG Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida in December and we hope you will plan to join us. (Boys and Girls 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 years of age worldwide are eligible.)

The Qualifying Round will be held on Saturday, December 11 and Sunday, December 12 (32 draw) and the Main Draw (32) will begin on Monday, December 13-17, 2010. The Fact Sheet is on our website which gives all of the tournament details/age divisions, etc: www.mcbtennis.org. Matches will be played on full court with yellow Regular Prince balls.

We are excited to announce Nick Bollettieri will be leading all “Little Mo” players in a free afternoon clinic on Sunday, Dec.12.
Following the clinic will be the “Parade of Nations” whereby all players will parade on court carrying their country’s flag and the opening ceremony. The Internationals will be a great opportunity to meet players who are your same age and gauge your skills against players from around the world.

For the first time, the “Little Mo” Internationals will have a 12’s division for boys and girls. (If you live in Florida, this division has been sanctioned by the USTA and will count for ranking points.) We are also offering doubles and mixed doubles, in addition to the singles, so you are guaranteed at least 4 matches (two singles, one doubles and one mixed.) You can either sign up with a partner or you will be paired with someone on at the player sign-in on Friday, December 10.

Registration for the Internationals is now online on the MCB website: www.mcbtennis.org. Please click on Tournaments. If you have any questions, please email Rick Workman (Tournament Director): [email protected]. Deadline for entries: Nov. 12.

Disney World is a short drive away in Orlando, as well as the beautiful white sand beaches of Florida. So, we hope you will plan to escape the cold winter and join us at the IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy for some great junior tennis and all of the festivities.

Thanks for helping us spread the word—especially if you have any connections with players or teaching pro’s in other countries. We appreciate it. Attached is the Andy Roddick ad and press release for easy forwarding. Thanks very much and we wish you all the best.

Warmest regards,

Carol Weyman

Executive Vice-President
Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation

24/10/10

Zvonimir Babic, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 player, played the finals of Indoors Ogulin Open 2010 under 16 Tournament against Filip Kraljevic, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up who was the winner

Zvonimir Babic played twice Smrikva Bowl in 2004 and 2005 and usually visit Smrikve with his parents during the summer. Last year it was the first time that Zvonimir visited Smrikve without rackets because of an arm injury.

This year he was back on the courts with racket and he trained with Miro.

Zvonimir’s father Vlado called me yesterday to tell me Zvonimir was playing in Ogulin and visiting the Tennis Club Ogulin webiste it is very interesting to see that they adopted a system to follow the scores on line :). Very nice!

Zvonimir road to the finals was the following:

1st round: Zvonimir Babic – bye
2nd round: Zvonimir Babic – Timon KORDIC 6:0, 2:6, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Zvonimir Babic – Marin Domagoj CUKON 6:4, 6:4
Semifinals: Zvonimir Babic – Karlo LOZIC 6:4, 7:5
Finals: Zvonimir Babic – Filip KRALJEVIC 6:0, 0:6, 6:7

Filip Kraljevic played Smrikva Bowl finals in 2006 against Gianluigi Quinzi.

Congratulations to Filip and Zvonimir!

20/10/10

Ivana Lisjak, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, qualified for USD 220.000 worth tournament in Luxembourg - BGL BNP Paribas Luxembourg Open and withdrew in the first round

Ivana Lisjak, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, won two USD 25.000 worth tournaments during the last month and this week she qualified for the USD 220.000 worth tournament in Luxembourg – BGL BNP Paribas Luxembourg Open.

Ivana is currently ranked #266 on WTA list and is the second best fomer Smrikva Bowl player on WTA ranking list with her best ranking ever #95 reached on June 12th, 2006.

Ivana Lisjak Qualification road towards the Main Draw was the following:

1st round: Ivana Lisjak – Alize CORNET (FRA) 6:4, 6:3
2nd round: Ivana Lisjak – Liana UNGUR (ROU) 6:2, 6:3
3rd round: Ivana Lisjak – Eleni DANIILIDOU (GRE) 6:1, 6:4

The ranking of the players that Ivana played in the qualifications of the BGL BNP Paribas Luxembourg Open is the following:

Alize CORNET (FRA) – # 81 WTA list
Liana UNGUR (ROU) – # 163 WTA list
Eleni DANIILIDOU (GRE) – # 166 WTA list

In the Main Draw she played against Polona Hercog from Slovenia, currently ranked #47 on WTA ranking list and after loosing in the first set 6:2 in the second set she withdrew on 1:1 score.

18/10/10

Nicola Khun, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 winner, won the "I Torneo Internacional de Tenis Juvenil CAJA DE BURGOS & DIARIO DE BURGOS"

I just received the news that Nicola Khun, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 winner, won the “I Torneo Internacional de Tenis Juvenil CAJA DE BURGOS & DIARIO DE BURGOS”

Nicola defeated in the finals a player from Madrid who also played this year Smrikva Bowl named – Jorge Garcia Sanz while the girls runner up of this year edition, Paola Arias, reached the quarterfinals.

There was another top Spanish boy that applied for the next year Smrikva Bowl – Nicolas Alvarez Varona who reached the semifinals.

Congratulations Smrikva boys and girls!... and for those who understand Spanish I am pleased to post part of the Press Release in Spanish of the event:

Nicola Khun y Maria José Luque vencedores del I Torneo Internacional de Tenis Juvenil CAJA DE BURGOS & DIARIO DE BURGOS

Gran éxito del I Torneo Internacional de Tenis Juvenil CAJA DE BURGOS & DIARIO DE BURGOS que se ha celebrado este fin de semana en las Pistas del Club de Tenis Burgos.

Partidos de enorme calidad y vistosidad los que se han visto con buena parte de los mejores jugadores de España y Portugal en liza.

En Benjamín Masculino dónde a efectos se ha celebrado un Campeonato de España oficioso de la categoría, ha resultado vencedor de una forma incontestable el valenciano Nicola Khun y en la categoría Infantil Femenino la andaluza María José Luque ha impuesto su enorme regularidad.

La primera final de la mañana entre el valenciano Nicola Khun y el madrileño Jorge García Sanz ha comenzado con sorpresa dado que Jorge se ha adelantado en el marcador 3 a 1, debido a sus potentes golpes y su decisión sobre la pista. A partir de ese momento Nicola Khun ha reaccionado de una manera total debido a sus grandes golpes y sobre todo a su gran energía mental, y ha hecho siete juegos seguidos que le han dado la victoria en el partido.

En la segunda final, María José Luque ha empezado con mucha fuerza y no ha dado ninguna opción en el primer set a Mercedes López a la que ha ganado por 6-0. Gran reacción de Mercedes en el segundo set, dónde ha peleado de tú a tú con María José, llegandose al empate a 3 juegos. A partir de ahí se ha impuesto la andaluza debido a su gran regularidad.

CUADRO DE HONOR DEL I TORNEO INTERNACIONAL DE TENIS JUVENIL CAJA DE BURGOS & DIARIO DE BURGOS

Categoría BENJAMÍN MASCULINO:

Vencedor – Nicola Khun (Comunidad Valenciana)
Finalista – Jorge García (Madrid)

Semifinalista – Luis Fernández Labarta (Galicia) – Tercer puesto
Semifinalista – Nicolás Álvarez Varona (Castilla y León) – Cuarto puesto

Cuartofinalista – Raúl Vázquez Roldán (Castilla y León) – Quinto puesto
Cuartofinalista – Álvaro Bueno (Cataluña) – Quinto puesto
Cuartofinalista-Gonçalo Carvalho (Portugal)-Sexto puesto
Cuartofinalista-Fernando Ortiz (Extremadura) – Sexto puesto

Categoría INFANTIL FEMENINO

Vencedora – María José Luque (Andalucía)
Finalista – Mercedes López (Madrid)

Semifinalista-Ariadna Martí (Cataluña) – Tercer puesto
Semifinalista – Claudia Cianci (Portugal) – Cuarto puesto

Cuartofinalista – Rosario Cañero (Andalucía) Quinto puesto
Cuartofinalista – Leire Martín (Castilla y León) – Quinto puesto
Cuartofinalista – Paula Arias (Castilla y León) – Sexto puesto
Cuartofinalista – Paula Tormos (Madrid) – Sexto puesto

17/10/10

These days in Smrikve we started to collect olives that will end up in bottles with Smrikva Bowl olive oil that will be given to the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 Ambassadors - Istrian olive oil is considered among the best in the World

These days we started to collect olives, the 2011 Smrikva Bowl olive oil production. It is considered 2011 production because the next year every new Smrikva Bowl Ambassador will receive a bottle of it.

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

During the Smrikva Bowl we use to give to every Smrikva Bowl Ambasador a bottle of oil as a memory to their Smrikva Bowl. We started the collection process that will end with transforming the olives into oil for the 16th Smrikva Bowl 2011 players and Ambassadors.

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

This year olive oil will be quite rare because of the strong winter we had. On 18th of December 2009 we woke up under the snow in Smrikve that is not usual and according to statistics since 1930 we did not have such a snow in Pula.

The Smrikve tennis courts looked very elegant that morning. The sunshine was light and for many kids in Pula it was the day to enjoy in this unusual snow for our town on the Adriatic sea but for the olive trees was a painfull experience when the temperature went to -7 to -8°C when the olive tree can get frozen and die.

Many of our olive trees suffered the winter but in end they survived and the next year olive oil will be special also for the complicated weather we had :)

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

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

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

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

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

SMRIKVA BOWL AMBASSADORS OLIVE TREES…

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

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

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

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

WHAT REMAINED IN ISTRIA FROM THE ROMAN OLIVE OIL TRADITION…

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. Maturum: olive oil made by mature olives

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

5. Cibarium: olive oil made by rotten olives

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

THE OLDEST ISTRIAN OLIVE TREE…

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

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

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

It would be nice to think that the oldest Istrian olive tree from Brioni could lend a part of its wise to every visitor of Istria.

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

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

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

15/10/10

Kristina Novak - 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist - spent a week this summer in Switzerland, in Italy with Luca Appino following the Tennis Talents program, and than she won the under 11 Master in her country :)

I just received this morning a letter from Kristina Novak and her family describing Kristina’s experiences over the last months after the Smrikva Bowl completion… it is a nice letter that I am pleased to share and I am pleased to congratulate them that they wrote it in Croatian although their native language is little bit different :)

Kristina Novak reached the semifinals on this year Smrikva Bowl and was the winner of the Lemon Bowl in Rome at the beginning of the year. She played twice Smrikva Bowl and this year she brought in Smrikve with her a particular surprise.

Every player to register for the tournament bring a book of the town or country he or she is from thus contribute to the creation of the Smrikva Bowl Library. The books received are beautiful but Kristina with her book brought also a bread made at home with tennis racket, the roses, and some other lovely creations.... :)

Before putting Krisitna’s family letter in Croatian I am pleased to start this article with Kristina’photo after this year Smrikva Bowl finals when it was allowed to jump into the swimming pool with suits and as you can see Kristina was in the finals staff wearing Sergio Tacchini t-shirt and shorts and this is the picture made just after the finals :))... it is one of my favourits pictures… ;)

Given the fact the letter is in Croatian I would be pleased to give just o short summery of it that split as follows…
1. Joka visit to Kristina in Slovenia
2. Kristina visit to the Smrikva Bowl Swiss team in Frenkendorf
3. Kristina visit to Luca Appino in Aosta with Joka than on return home visit to Gardaland :)
4. in end she won the under 11 Master in her country ;)

As stated above, this year winner Joka visited this summer Kristina on Blad and on the picture below you can see Joka and Kristina after their squash game :)...

Later on Kristina visited her new Smrikva Bowl friends in Switzerland and trained at TIF tennis academy in Frenkendorf near Basel. Kristina went there thanks to the friendship created this year Swiss trainer Nicol Zuger and the players Vesna Savic, Joanne and Zina... it was another tennis and friendship experience to her…

Once she returned from Frenkendorf she was contacted by Luca Appino informing her about the opportunity to work with Joka in Aosta at the end of September for a week and this was another valuable experience for her human and tennis development :)

After Aosta she went to Gardaland and back home she won the under 11 Master!

For those who understand Croatian I am pleased to share Kristina’s family letter.

Poštovani g. Miodrag,

Dani lete poput svijetlosti a uspomene na Smrikvu 2010 ostaju u prijatnom siječanju. Mnogo lijepih stvari se dogodilo Kristini na Smrikvi i poslije Smrikve. Upoznali smo Lucu Appina , pa porodicu Zuger,pa porodicu Vuković. U povratku iz Pule porodica Vuković je došla na Bled, gdje su se Joka,Vuk i Kristina upoznali mnogo bolje i van terena.

U početku kolovoza Kristina je bila tijedan dana gost u TIF tennis academy, Frenkendorf kraj Basela. Kristina je tu provela odličan tijedan u radu u tenis centru, gdje je bila gost porodice Zuger i porodice Savić.

Bilo je to za Kristinu veliko iskustvo, jer je Kristina naučila puno novih stvari i doživjela različit pristup tenisu nego u njenom klubu. Kristina se sprijateljila sa Joanne, Zinom, Vesnom (svi Smrikwa bowl igrači) i ga. Nicole i g. Rodolfom Handschin-om .

Tek smo se vratili iz Frenkendorfa, a iznenadio nas je mail koji nas je jako obradovao. G. Luca Appino je javio, da bi u ovoj godini *želio vidjeti Kristinu u programu Tennis Talents*.

Odluka je brzo pala, pa smo se dogovorili, da se vidimo u početku septembra u Aosti. Jako nas je obradovala informacija, da če u povratku iz Pariza doči i porodica Vuković. Kristina se tome jako obradovala i provela 5 prekrasnih dana u radu sa Lucom i tri dana zajedničkog treninga i druženja sa Jovanom Vuković.

Trening po programu TT je ukazao na određene nedostatke u Kristininoj igri, koje smo odmah počeli popravljati. Luca se pokazao kao izvrstan stručnjak i super čovijek sa velikom dozom osiječaja za rad sa dijecom i osiječajem šta je dobro i na čemu treba raditi danas, da bi bilo bolje za budučnost Kristinine igre. Nadamo se, da čemo sa g. Lucom ostati na vezi i u budučnosti.

Tijedan je jako brzo prošao i u povratku smo stali kraj Gardskog jezera i pogledali Safari park i normalno – Gardaland.

g. Miodrag – još jedna vijest :

Kristina je na Mastersu koji se odvijao od 09. i 10.10.2010 do 10 godina osvojila 2. mijesto, a na mastersu do 11 godina 1. mijesto. U tom tijednu bila je najbolja igračica mastersa. Još jednom je pokazala svoj talenat.

Na tom mijestu zahvalili bi Lucu Appinu, porodici Zuger i Savić te naravno TK Triglav Kranj i njegovom trenerskom timu, Feniks studiu – Squash klubu Bled i svima koji su do sada radili sa Kristinom.

g. Miodrag na kraju ide zahvala i vama jer malo ljudi čini toliko dobroga za dijecu kao vi. Da nismo bili učesnici vašeg turnira danas bi na tom mijestu papir ostao prazan.

Pozdrav,

Kristina, Alenka i Vili Novak

12/10/10

Top Smrikva Bowl and "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl players on ATP, WTA, ITF, USTA and European under 14 and 16 ranking lists (update October 2010)

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 #312 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, is ranked #975 on WTA list. Astrid’s 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 #644 on WTA list. Tereza’s best ranking was #279 on WTA list in February 2010.

2001 – 6th Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Marin Draganja, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #1149 on ATP ranking list.
Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #900 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Petra MARTIC, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #140 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 #696 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 #386 on ATP list.
Giacomo Miccini, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Italy, was ranked #1785 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 #157 on WTA list.
Ema BURGIC, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #554 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 #915 on ATP ranking list.
George MORGAN, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #921 on ATP ranking list.
Ciprian PORUMB, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Romenia, is ranked #319 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Jennifer Ren, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Great Britain, was ranked #970 on WTA list.
Silvia NJIRIC, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #826 on WTA list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #157 on WTA list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Emmett EGGER, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #167 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 #1505 on ITF ranking list.
Miki JANKOVIC, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #99 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #76 on ITF ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Mitchel POLNET, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #427 on ITF ranking list.

Blair SHANKLE, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #326 on ITF ranking list.
Anna MAMALAT, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #643 on ITF ranking list.

IN 2005 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM 3 CONTINENTS

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

BOYS
Matteo DONATI, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Italy, is ranked #415 on ITF ranking list.
Laslo DJERE, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #524 on ITF ranking list.
Gianluigi QUINZI, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Italy, is ranked #298 on ITF ranking list.
Nikola MILOJEVIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation tournament winner, from Serbia, is ranked #81 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #76 on ITF ranking list.
Olga IANCHUK, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Ukraine, is ranked #849 on WTA 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 #298 on ITF ranking list.
Filip Kraljevic, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #200 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

GIRLS
Eleanor DEAN, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is ranked #320 on ITF ranking list.
Dina PAOCIC, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #249 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Daniel Maese, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #331 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Aries Wong, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #25 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

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

BOYS
Sacha Merzetti, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 winner, from Italy, is ranked #117 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Bogdan BORZA, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #37 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Gonzalo Morell, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Spain, is ranked #188 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Sergiu Bucur, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Romania, is ranked #78 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.

GIRLS
Ana KONJUH, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #24 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Nina POTOCNIK, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Slovenia, is ranked #64 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Eduardo NAVA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #13 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Tommy PAUL, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #46 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

Ndindi NDUNDA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #31 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Domonique Garley, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #305 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

“Little Mo” TEAM
Justin LEE, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #23 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
William BLUMBERG, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #2 in the USA in under 12 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 #3 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alex Gee, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #106 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Michaela GORDON, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #156 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Ashley LAHEY, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#121 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

IN 2010 SMRIKVA BOWL HAD 9 NEW COUNTRIES AND REACHED THE TOTAL OF 49 COUNTRIES THAT PARTICIPATED IN THE TOURNAMENT SINCE ITS FOUNDATION

2010 – 15th Smrikva Bowl and 9th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

“Little Mo” TEAM
Max Motlagh, played 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #899 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Claire LIU, played 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #106 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alexa Butera, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#644 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

10/10/10

Sivlia Njiric, 8th Smrikva Bowl runner up, won the finals of USD 10.000 worth tournament played in Algiers while Ivana Lisjak, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, won the finals of USD 25000 worth tournamanet played in France

Silvia Njiric, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, won the finals of USD 10.000 Algiers 2010 tournament. Silvia is currently ranked #935 on WTA list and just started to play professional tournaments. Her road towards the victory was the following:

1st round: Silvia Njiric – Imane TOUBAL (ALG) 6:2, 6:1
2nd round: Silvia Njiric – Alina PETRAS (BUL) 6:2, 6:2
Quarterfinals: Silvia Njiric – Marcella KOEK (NED) 6:4, 7:6
Semifinals: Silvia Njiric – Silvia ALBANO (ITA) 6:0, 1:0 ret.
Finals: Silvia Njiric – Fatima EL ALLAMI (MAR) 3:6, 6:3, 6:1

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

Imane TOUBAL (ALG) – not ranked
Alina PETRAS (BUL) – not ranked
Marcella KOEK (NED) – # 429 WTA list
Silvia ALBANO (ITA) – # 1062 WTA list
Fatima EL ALLAMI (MAR) – #494 WTA list

Another top former Smrikva Bowl player: Ivana Lisjak, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, won another final in few weeks. This time was the USD 25.000 Limoges 2010 tournament.

Ivana is currently ranked #375 on WTA list and is the second best fomer Smrikva Bowl player on WTA ranking list with her best ranking ever #95 reached on June 12th, 2006.

Ivana Lisjak road towards the victory was the following:

1st round: Ivana Lisjak – Amandine HESSE (FRA) 6:1, 6:3
2nd round: Ivana Lisjak – Valeria SAVINYKH (RUS) 6:1, 6:2
Quarterfinals: Ivana Lisjak – Audrey BERGOT (FRA) 6:0, 6:4
Semifinals: Ivana Lisjak – Julia MAYR (ITA) 6:3, 6:2
Finals: Ivana Lisjak – Yuliya BEYGELZIMER (UKR) 6:0, 6:3

The ranking of the players that Ivana played in Clermont-Ferrand is the following:

Amandine HESSE (FRA) – # 803 WTA list
Valeria SAVINYKH (RUS) – # 232 WTA list
Audrey BERGOT (FRA) – # 278 WTA list
Julia MAYR (ITA) – # 218 WTA list
Yuliya BEYGELZIMER (UKR) – # 237 WTA list

Congratulations girls!

09/10/10

Marco Perelli Rocco - Smrikva Bowl Honorary Member - and his brother Pietro Perelli Rocco will compete tomorrow on Barcolana in "Tutto per AISM" team lead by Analia Pierini

Barcolana is one of the biggest sailing races in the World held traditionally in the bay of the city of Trieste (Italy).

Marco Perelli Rocco is a historical Honorary Smrikva Bowl Member and few days ago he informed about this year Barcolana race.

I was twice with him and his brother on their boath racing this beautiful sailing race but this year he and his brother are involved in a very particular race…

I published this morning an article on Smrikve c Code and I am pleased to share this information with the Smrikva Bowl community for these boys and girls that although in other sport are acting with the same attitude of what I described today…

Marco and Pietro brothers will race with Analia Pierini that is affected by Multiple Sclerosis… The boath is named “Tutti per AISM”... “Everything for the Italian Association of Multiple Sclerosis”... They will have a phone number on the sail for donations and the collected funds will be donated to the Italian Multiple Sclerosis Association…

The team is made of World, Olympic, Italian… and Life Champions…:

Analia Pierini – Life Champion…
Alessandra Cantu – the wife of Marco’s brother Pietro and the director of the initiative together with Pietro…
Pietro Perelli Rocco – World Champion Quarter Ton and the Golden Metal for the Athletic Values…
Marco Perelli Rocco – part of the Italian National sailing team since he was a child…
Edo Bianchi, Paolo Reggio and Alessandro Seattone – all participants to the Olympic games in Peking 2008…
Paolo Micucci – Italian Champion…

Congratulations for the Initiative and may you have the understanding of the wind on your side tomorrow!

Here below is one of the articles about the Initiative published on the website www.sailbiz.it for those who understand Italian

Alla Barcolana la solidarietà dell’AISM

Anche l’AISM, Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla sarà in regata alla 42^ edizione della Barcolana, a bordo di una barca di dieci metri, a sostegno dei giovani e delle persone affette da SM.

AISM e gli atleti che saliranno a bordo durante la competizione lanciano un grande messaggio di solidarietà ed impegno a sostegno dei giovani e delle persone con Sclerosi Multipla (SM).

Analia Pierini, persona con SM, reduce dal suo viaggio di cinquanta giorni intorno al mondo, capitanerà la barca battezzata proprio “Tutti per AISM”. “La sclerosi multipla – afferma Analia – non è un ostacolo alla vita, alla passione e ai sogni. Le cose belle e importanti della nostra vita, vanno vissute, invece sino in fondo. A spingermi e darmi coraggio nei miei viaggi, nella mia passione per il mare e l’avventura sono le storie d’amore dei malati che ho incontrato… E’ anche per loro che faccio tutto questo, non solo per me stessa. Sono la prova che la vita può essere più forte di tutto”.

Ecco perché tra le quasi duemila imbarcazioni che quest’anno parteciperanno alla regata, anche l’Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla, unica realtà italiana a occuparsi a 360 gradi della malattia (una delle più gravi del sistema nervoso centrale che colpisce per lo più i giovani, di cui oggi non si conosce causa né cura risolutive), partecipa con una propria barca a vela e uno skipper d’eccezione, affiancato da un equipaggio altrettanto straordinario.

A bordo ci sarà un pool di velisti nazionali e internazionali di livello olimpionico, tra cui Edo Bianchi, olimpionico nella classe tornado a Pechino 2008, Paolo Reggio, sparring partner nella classe tornado per Pechino 2008, Alessandro Saettone, sparring partner nella classe 470 per Pechino 2008, Pietro Perelli-Rocco, campione mondiale Quarter Ton e medaglia d’oro al valor atletico. Con loro regateranno in equipaggio anche Marco Perelli-Rocco, in nazionale di vela fin da bambino, Paolo Micucci, velista di livello nazionale e internazionale, Campione italiano di Farr30 e
Alessandra Cantù, organizzatrice dell’iniziativa assieme al marito Pietro Perelli-Rocco. “L’idea di partecipare alla Barcolana con persone affette da SM – dichiara Alessandra – nasce con lo scopo di dare coraggio a tutte le persone con questa patologia e dare visibilità all’AISM per raccogliere fondi per la ricerca. La cosa bella di questa avventura, è stata l’entusiasmo di tutte, ma proprio tutte le persone che appena sentito il progetto lo hanno subito accolto e sostenuto in modo incondizionato e gioioso!”

Il numero velico della barca “Tutti per AISM”, ben visibile sulla randa, altro non è che il numero dell’SMS solidale 45593, destinato alla raccolta di fondi per sostenere la ricerca scientifica sulla Sclerosi Multipla. Fino al 13 ottobre, infatti, sarà possibile inviare un sms al 45593 da cellulare personale Tim, Vodafone, Wind, 3 e Coopvoce e donare 1 euro, oppure chiamare lo stesso numero da telefono fisso Telecom Italia e contribuire con 2 euro

L’iniziativa è stata realizzata grazie al contributo di Colombo Costruzioni, Pacorini Group, S.C.I. – arredo urbano e affissioni, Waveon – sports & events, TOD – The one design, SVBG – Società Velica Barcola Grignano, Agenzia Leonardo – Marketing Barcolana, Numa Italia, Max Ranchi – Yacht Racing Photographer, Marina Yachting, Abba Ricami. Grazie anche allo straordinario impegno di Franco Buzzi, Alberto Cantù, Nicolò Sebastiani, Elena Sebastiani, Vincenzo Spina, Federico Prandi, Nicola Davanzo, Marco Talluri, Max Ranchi, Paolo Ciocca, Sergio Cesa, Gabriele Aiello.

La partecipazione alla 42^ Barcolana è parte di una delle iniziative a sostegno di “Una Mela per la Vita”, manifestazione di solidarietà che permetterà di raccogliere fondi per la ricerca scientifica e incrementare i servizi sanitari e sociali volti a garantire una maggiore qualità di vita alle persone con SM.

La Sezione AISM di Trieste sarà presente alla Barcolana, dal 6 al 10 ottobre, con uno stand nei pressi di Piazza Unità d’Italia, una delle 3.000 piazze italiane, in cui avverrà la manifestazione: saranno distribuiti 700 sacchetti di mele a fronte di un’offerta di 8 euro ciascuno.

AISM – Associazione Italiana Sclerosi Multipla – è l’unica organizzazione italiana capace di intervenire a 360 gradi sulla sclerosi multipla: promuovere ed erogare servizi a livello nazionale e locale, rappresentare e affermare i diritti delle persone con SM, sostenere, indirizzare e promuovere la ricerca scientifica.