News

18/12/10

Santa Claus from the land of perpetual snow visited Smrikve today :)

Santa Claus from the land of perpetual snow visited Smrikve today at noon and brought presents for boys and girls that train tennis in Smrikve.

First kids arrived around 11:00 AM and we called our friend Franca in Milan to check at what time Santa Claus departured from Milan.

She said that he departured early in the morning and his flying reindeer who pull his sleigh were so fast this morning because in Milan the streets are all covered with snow and ice… thus for noon he should reach Smrikve probably…

She also told us to prepare some biscuits for reindeer because they will be tired for sure… :)

Santa Claus parked his sleigh in the wood and come to Smrikve from a small door on the third court.

We did not know from which side he will come thus we went out with accordion playing and singing Jingle Bell around noon…

He came with a tennis racket and a huge bag full of gifts… saying HO HO HO… and showing that he was happy to hear us singing a song to him…

Three years ago Santa Claus played tennis with Smrikva kids but today the courts were covered with snow…

I know that our kids would have enjoyed to play tennis with him and some took the racket outside… but Santa Claus said that with snow it is hard to play… :)

We welcame him into our tavern around the fireplace and there he started to distribute gifts… the kids remembered to prepare biscuits for his flying reindeer… :)

Also this year it was nice to see children talking to Santa Claus and he also spoke to the kids…

He told them to be good at school and to listen their parents… to play sport and to keep improving their tennis because next year when he comes back he will bring his racket again and will check what they learned…

The kids offered to him a glass of juice and in turn he offered to each kid from his magic pockets a chocolate candy…

I asked him to explain where is he from… and one kid said that he must be from the North Pole… than Santa Claus explained that actually he is not far away from the North Pole :)

One legend associated with Santa Claus says that he lives in the far north, in a land of perpetual snow. The American version of Santa Claus lives at the North Pole, while Father Christmas or Snow Grandfather is said to reside in Finland. Other mythological details include that he is married and lives with Mrs. Claus; that he makes a list of children throughout the world, categorizing them according to their behavior; that he delivers presents, including toys, candy, and other presents to all of the good boys and girls in the world, and that he accomplishes this feat with the aid of magical elves who make the toys, and flying reindeer who pull his sleigh…

Thank you Santa Claus for visiting our kids in Smrikve :) and we hope you come again next year!

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.

15/12/10

Smrikva Bowl players on 4th "Little Mo" International 2010 edition: Neli Sunjic (winner - u10), Katie Swan (winner - u11), Ingrid Neel (winner - u12), Yshai Oliel (winner - u10)

4th “Little Mo” International 2010 edition was played for the first time at IMG Nick Bollettieri Academy in Florida.

Several 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.

Several former Smrikva Bowl players obtained a great success on 4th “Little Mo” International:

Neli Sunjic, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist, from Croatia, is the winner of 4th “Little Mo” International under 10 age group.

Katie Swan, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winner, from UK, is the winner of 4th “Little Mo” International under 11 age group.

Ingrid Neel, 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2008 player, from the US, is the winner of 4th “Little Mo” International under 12 age group.

Yshai Oliel, 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist, from Israel, is the winner of 4th “Little Mo” International under 10 age group.

Please find below detailed results:

Boys:

BOYS UNDER 10

Yshai Oliel (Isr) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist
1st round: Yshai Oliel – bye
2nd round: Yshai Oliel – Adil Kalyanpur (Usa) 6:2, 6:3
Quarterfinals: Yshai Oliel – Jericho Grollman (Usa) 6:0, 6:1
Semifinals: Yshai Oliel – Jordi Redelijk (Usa) 6:0, 6:1
Finals: Yshai Oliel – Christian Alshon (Usa) 6:0, 7:5

Elliot Lamprecht (Rsa) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 player
1st round: Elliot Lamprecht – Greyson Doscotch (Usa) 6:2, 6:1
2nd round: Elliot Lamprecht – Adam Kush (Usa) 6:1, 5:7, 8:10

Karol Paluch (Pol) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 player
1st round: Karol Paluch – Patrick Maloney (Usa) 5:7, 6:4, 3:10
2nd round: Karol Paluch – Christian Alshon (Usa) 2:6, 2:6

Vinicius Nogueira (Bra) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 player
1st round: Vinicius Nogueira – Jericho Grollman (Usa) 0:6, 2:6

BOYS UNDER 11

Matic Zaplotnik (Slo) – 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 player
1st round: Matic Zaplotnik – Jackson Suh (Usa) 6:1, 4:6, 11:9
2nd round: Matic Zaplotnik – Jonathan Sorbo (Can) 6:3, 6:0
Quarterfinals: Matic Zaplotnik – Lutwin Demacar (Bel) 6:4, 7:5
Semifinals: M.Zaplotnik – B.Pattison-Blouin (Can) 6:3,1:6,1:10

BOYS UNDER 9

Lancelot Carnello (Swe) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 player
1st round: Lancelot Carnello – Preston Brown (Usa) 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: Lancelot Carnello – Govind Nanda (Usa) 2:6, 2:6

Girls:

GIRLS UNDER 10

Neli Sunjic (Cro) – 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 semifinalist
1st round: Neli Sunjic – Morgan Whitlock (Usa) 6:0, 6:0
Quarterfinals: Neli Sunjic – Jessica Stefan (Usa) 6:3, 6:3
Semifinals: Neli Sunjic – Nada Dimovska (Usa) 6:2, 5:0 ret.
Finals: Neli Sunjic – Ellie Douglas (Usa) 6:3, 6:3

GIRLS UNDER 11

Katie Swan(Gbr) – 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winner
1st round: Katie Swan – Bye
Quarterfinals: Katie Swan – Amanda Meyer (Usa) 6:1, 6:1
Semifinals: Katie Swan – Ashley Kratzer (Usa) 6:2, 6:0
Finals: Katie Swan – Ava N Sowell (Usa) 6:0, 5:7, 10:6

GIRLS UNDER 12

Ingrid Neel(Usa) – part of the “Little Mo” team in 2008
1st round: Ingrid Neel – Bye
Quarterfinals: Ingrid Neel – Wakana Yamamoto (Jpn) 6:1, 6:1
Semifinals: Ingrid Neel – Keren Rozen (Isr) 6:1, 6:2
Finals: Ingrid Neel – Hannah Lairmore (Usa) 6:0, 6:1

SMRIKVA BOWL AND LITTLE MO FRIENDSHIP RELATIONSHIP…

There is a long term friendship relationship between Smrikva Bowl and “Little Mo”... 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 the 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.

14/12/10

Top Smrikva Bowl and "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl players on ATP, WTA, ITF, USTA and European under 14 and 16 ranking lists (update December 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 #239 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 #983 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 #751 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 #1130 on ATP ranking list.
Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #726 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 #713 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 #333 on ATP list.
Giacomo Miccini, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Italy, was ranked #1745 on ATP list in May 2009.

GIRLS
Martina Caregaro, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Italy, is ranked #387 on WTA ranking list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #163 on WTA list.
Ema BURGIC, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #622 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 #916 on ATP ranking list. Under 18 EDDIE HERR INTERNATIONAL 2010 winner. Ranking ITF #5.
George MORGAN, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #928 on ATP ranking list. Under 18 DUNLOP ORANGE BOWL 2010 winner. Ranking ITF #32.
Ciprian PORUMB, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Romenia, is ranked #312 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Jennifer Ren, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Great Britain, was ranked #1127 on WTA list.
Silvia NJIRIC, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #593 on WTA list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #163 on WTA list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Emmett EGGER, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #182 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 #1358 on ITF ranking list.
Miki JANKOVIC, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #96 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 #1947 on ITF ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Mitchel POLNET, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #288 on ITF ranking list.

Blair SHANKLE, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #413 on ITF ranking list.
Anna MAMALAT, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #452 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 #420 on ITF ranking list.
Laslo DJERE, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #526 on ITF ranking list.
Gianluigi QUINZI, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Italy, is ranked #336 on ITF ranking list.
Nikola MILOJEVIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation tournament winner, from Serbia, is ranked #72 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 #385 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 #336 on ITF ranking list.
Filip Kraljevic, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #203 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

GIRLS
Eleanor DEAN, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is ranked #186 on ITF ranking list.
Dina PAOCIC, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #302 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Daniel Maese, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #295 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 #40 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 #126 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 #191 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Sergiu Bucur, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Romania, is ranked #80 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.

GIRLS
Ana KONJUH, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #19 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Nina POTOCNIK, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Slovenia, is ranked #60 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Eduardo NAVA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #11 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Tommy PAUL, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #41 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

Ndindi NDUNDA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #20 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Domonique Garley, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #314 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 #846 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Mihnea Turcu, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Romania, is still not ranked on under 14 european ranking list.
Grega Kokalj, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovenia, is ranked *#228 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Andrea Guerrieri, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Italy, is ranked #986 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

GIRLS
Katarina Jokic, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winner, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked *#130 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 #142 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*. OPEN SUPER 12 AURAY 2010 winner.
Viktoria Kuzmova, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovakia, is ranked #148 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 #12 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 #26 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Paulina Ferrari, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #47 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 #3 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alex Gee, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #86 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Michaela GORDON, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #93 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Ashley LAHEY, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#128 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 #898 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Claire LIU, played 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #49 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alexa Butera, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#471 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

13/12/10

George Morgan, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, won the 64th Dunlop Orange Bowl 2010 edition in under 18 age group. George Morgan is the first British singles champion in the 64-year history of the Dunlop Orange Bowl.

Last week Dominic Thiem, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Austria won Eddie Herr International 2010 under 18 age group and George Morgan, who was the runner up of the Smrikva Bowl in 2003, on Eddie Herr International reached the quarterfinals there but this week on the 64th DUNLOP ORANGE BOWL edition he won the under 18 age group.

George Morgan is from UK and he was the 8th Smrikva Bowl runner up and he also represented Smrikva Bowl team in teh US and traveled to Austin with Dominic, to play 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl.

On the picture below there are George Morgan and Dominic Thiem 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.

In 2007 on the 46th Junior Orange Bowl edition in the under 14 age group George Morgan was the winner of this prestigous event and now in 2010 he is again the winner in under 18 age group of the 64th edition!

George Morgan is currently ranked #928 on ATP ranking list and last week was #32 on ITF ranking list and is the first British singles champion in the 64-year history of the DUNLOP ORANGE BOWL*.

Well done George!

GEORGE’s RESULTS ON THE 64th edition of the DUNLOP ORANGE BOWL 2010

George Morgan (Gbr) – 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up – road towards the of the under 18 age group was the following:

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

For those who would like to see George with the racket in his hand I am pleased to post a video from 2007 where you can see young Morgan on his Orange Bowl at the time:

I am pleased to post also part of the report of George’s performance during the finals from the tournament website:

MORGAN CAPTURE 18s SINGLES TITLE AT DUNLOP ORANGE BOWL
December 12, 2010 05:36 PM
By Joshua Rey, special to USTA.com

KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. – In the Boys’ 18s final, No. 9 seed George Morgan became the first British player – boy or girl – to win a Dunlop Orange Bowl singles title. He defeated No. 12 Jannick Lupescu of the Netherlands, 6-2, 6-3.

Morgan has made a name for himself in South Florida at this time of the year, having won the 2007 Junior Orange Bowl Boys’ 14s event.

He broke Lupescu’s serve three times in the first set, clinching a one-set lead when the Dutchman missed a down-the-line backhand wide.

“I didn’t play my best,” said Lupescu. “There was a lot of wind and we had to wait long for the girls’ final. I was a little bit nervous – more than normal – and I think he saw that in my game plan.”

Lupescu’s backhand broke down early and often in the second set, and Morgan was well aware of it.

The Brit broke for 3-1 by following a cross-court forehand approach with a cross-court backhand volley, which forced Lupescu into netting a backhand.

“Usually his backhand is his stronger shot,” said Morgan. “I kept playing heavy to his backhand and he didn’t really like it. It’s quite windy and he was struggling to deal with it.”

Morgan showed great feel to hold for 4-1: winning the first point of the game with a squash-shot forehand and the second behind a backhand slice approach that landed on the baseline. From 30-love, Lupescu made two straight unforced errors with his backhand.

After Lupescu misfired on – what else – a backhand, Morgan held a match point on his serve with a 5-1 lead.

But at the very last possible moment, Lupescu’s level rose. He won 10 of 13 points to reach 3-5, 15-40 on Morgan’s serve.

“I was nervous at the end, when I was trying to close the match out,” admitted Morgan. “I was almost lucky to take that in the end. My serve helped me out.”

On the first break point, Lupescu chipped and charged, but could not get his racquet on Morgan’s precise down-the-line backhand pass. At 30-40, the 17-year-old Englishman dialed up the play that worked all day for him: hammering an inside-out forehand to break down Lupescu’s backhand.

Morgan hit an ace on his second match point to clinch his first ITF Junior Circuit Grade A championship, and his first title of any kind since May of 2009.

“I’m going to ring my mum when I get back and she’ll be over the moon,” said Morgan. “Hopefully, I’ll get spoiled for Christmas because I won this tournament, so I’m looking forward to going back.”

Congratulations George!

64th Dunlop Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships
Crandon Park Tennis Center
Key Biscayne, Fla.
December 5-12, 2010

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

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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

“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

“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.