News

18/07/10

Munchkin tennis week end at European PTR Center in Marlengo and surpirse photos from Kristina Novak, Joka and Vuk made recently on Bled lake in Slovenia

Me and my father spent this week end at VAN DER MEER TENNIS UNIVERSITY EUROPE MARLENGO following a PTR course run by Luigi Bertino dedicated to children between the ages of 4 to 10.

Munchkin tennis coaching model is designed for children between the ages of 4 to 10. This includes learning basis skills like throwing, catching the ball and other ball skills, hand-eye co-ordination tasks and tennis games for children. It is based on fun-filled movements and games, and not repetitive drills.

It was a very nice learning week end.

SURPIRSE PHOTOS…

Returning home I found in my e-mail box the pictures sent to me by Kristina’s father Vili. Nice pictures made recently on Bled lake – one of the most beautiful lakes in Slovenia.

Kristina Novak played the semifinals on this year Smrikva Bowl and is the best under 10 tennis player in Slovenia.

Jovana Vukovic Joka, this year Smrikva Bowl winner, after her Smrikva Bowl and Tennis Talents days spent in Smrikve, she went for a holiday to Italy and returning home they visited Kristina and her family on Bled lake.

I enjoyed the pictures and I hope also people that know both girls might enjoy…

On the picture below you can see Joka and Kristina after their squash game :)... If they are good in squash just half they are in tennis that might have been an impressive game!...

Here below you can see also Vuk on the picture, Joka’s brother, together with Joka and Kristina. Looking at Kristina’s hair I would say that she jumped into the lake :)...

Blad is very beautiful summer resort and winter resort. I enjoyed skiing there for several winters.

I found also a photo of Kristina 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 :))...

I received also photos of all three of them jumping on trampoline: Kristina, Vuk and Joka, and I am really glad they had fun and spent nice moments together!

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.

15/07/10

Fazana sightseeing and ice cream offered by Miro to Miomir, Mila, Nina, Ariana, me and his family :)...

Miomir Kecmanovic and Nina Marjanovic and her sister Mila spent their tennis holidays in Smrikve. Yesterday night Miro decided to offer them a firewell ice cream in beautiful Fazana – an old fisherman village because Nina and Mila were leaving Smrikve this morning.

As I already wrote, few weeks ago Miso and Nina were crowned this year OUATT Kids Cup Champions in under 11 and under 12 age group cathegories, and they were preparing for European under 12 Championship that will be played in Romania and Czech Republic.

They are both former Smrikva Bowl players, and Mila, Nina’s sister should play the next year Smrikva Bowl. Yesterday night another Smrikva Bowl player from Fazana Ari joined us. It was ice cream night and the Fazana sightseeing opportunity.

In the car we listened on Miso’s request “I COLORI DEL MONDO” and “Jobrni je jobrni”. We reached Fazana just before the sunset when the village is most charming, while Miro waited for us with his car on the road.

Fazana is today a picturesque fisherman’s tourist village. During the summer almost every night there is something interesting you can do in the evening. We had yesterday night Balun dancers.

Historically it was the summer resort of Roman patricians but also had one of the most important Istrian amphorae factories. It was among the most important in the whole Empire. Today Fazana is also the gateway towards the famous Brioni islands.

Nina, Mila and Miso are ready for the ice cream . Ari and Miro choose the place.

and the ice cream in the nice company lasted till quite late in the evening for our little tennis champions but it was a day to say goodby till next year thus this exception was allowed by Tanja and Bora :)

It was a nice Fazana ice cream evening :)

13/07/10

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

IN 1996 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM ISTRIA AND KVARNER

1996 – 1st Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Vilim Visak, 1st Smrikva Bowl 1996 winner, from Croatia. Vilim’s best ranking was #612 in March 2006.

GIRLS
Natali Zuliani, 1st Smrikva Bowl 1996 winner, from Croatia.

IN 1997 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM CROATIA

1997 – 2nd Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Zeljko Peric, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, from Croatia.

GIRLS
Ivana Lisjak, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #289 on WTA list. Ivana’s best ranking was #95 on WTA list in June 2006.

IN 1998 SMRIKVA BOWL STARTED TO BE INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENT

1998 – 3rd Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Filip Kovacic, 3rd Smrikva Bowl 1998 winner, from Croatia.

GIRLS
Mateja Horvat, 3rd Smrikva Bowl 1998 winner, from Croatia.

1999 – 4th Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Borko Mudronja, 4th Smrikva Bowl 1999 winner, from Croatia.
Deni Zmak, 4th Smrikva Bowl 1999 runner up, from Croatia. Deni’s best ranking was #961 on ATP list in May 2010. In October 2009 he had an accident with motorcycle and for some time he will be forced to stay out of the courts.

GIRLS
Astrid Besser, 4th Smrikva Bowl 1999 winner, from Italy, is ranked #832 on WTA list. Astrid’s best ranking was #356 on WTA list in March 2009.

2000 – 5th Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Adelchi Virgili, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, from Italy.

GIRLS
Tereza MRDEZA, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, from Croatia, is currently ranked #371 on WTA list.

2001 – 6th Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Marin Draganja, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #1235 on ATP ranking list.
Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #1002 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Petra MARTIC, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #79 on WTA list.
Indire Akiki, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #641 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 #473 on ATP list.
Giacomo Miccini, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Italy, was ranked #1272 on ATP list in May 2009.

GIRLS
Martina Caregaro, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Italy, is ranked #489 on WTA ranking list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #160 on WTA list.
Ema BURGIC, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #514 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 #11 on ITF ranking list.
George MORGAN, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #42 on ITF ranking list.
Ciprian PORUMB, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Romenia, is ranked #254 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Jennifer Ren, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Great Britain, was ranked #928 on WTA list.
Silvia NJIRIC, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #965 on WTA list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #160 on WTA list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Emmett EGGER, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #143 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 #1161 on ITF ranking list.
Miki JANKOVIC, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #107 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #61 on ITF ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Mitchel POLNET, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #498 on ITF ranking list.

Blair SHANKLE, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #274 on ITF ranking list.
Anna MAMALAT, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #498 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 #487 on ITF ranking list.
Laslo DJERE, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #993 on ITF ranking list.
Gianluigi QUINZI, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Italy, is ranked #941 on ITF ranking list.
Nikola MILOJEVIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation tournament winner, from Serbia, is ranked #213 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #61 on ITF ranking list.
Olga IANCHUK, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Ukraine, is ranked #815 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 #941 on ITF ranking list and #1 in Europe in under 14 cathergory and #9 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Filip Kraljevic, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #182 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

GIRLS
Eleanor DEAN, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is ranked #488 on ITF ranking list.
Dina PAOCIC, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #143 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Daniel Maese, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #452 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Aries Wong, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #35 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 #95 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 #422 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Bogdan BORZA, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #31 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Gonzalo Morell, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Spain, is ranked #220 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Sergiu Bucur, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Romania, is ranked #266 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.

GIRLS
Virginia PENA, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 winner, from Spain, is currently not ranked in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Ana KONJUH, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #39 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 #36 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Tommy PAUL, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #130 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.

Ndindi NDUNDA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #99 in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Domonique Garley, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #346 in the USA in under 12 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 #172 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Maia Lumsden, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Scotland, is ranked #272 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Viktoria Kuzmova, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovakia, is ranked #260 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 #41 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
William Blumberg, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #12 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Ingrid NEEL, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #29 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Paulina Ferrari, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #37 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 #13 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alex Gee, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #136 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Michaela GORDON, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #108 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Ashley LAHEY, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#156 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 not ranked in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Claire LIU, played 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #91 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alexa BUTERA, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#799 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

12/07/10

Rovinj sightseeing and pizza with Miomir, Mila and Nina

As I already wrote few days ago Miomir Kecmanovic and Nina Marjanovic and her sister Mila are spending their tennis holidays in Smrikve.

Few weeks ago Miso and Nina were crowned this year OUATT Kids Cup Champions in under 11 and under 12 age group cathegories, and they are currently preparing for European under 12 Championship that will be played in Romania and Czech Republic.

They are both former Smrikva Bowl players, and Mila, Nina’s sister should play the next year Smrikva Bowl and she was also with us yesterday night. It was pizza night and the Sunday was the day off with Rovinj sightseeing on the schedule.

After listining in the car the songs “I COLORI DEL MONDO” and “Jobrni je jobrni” we reached Rovinj just before the sunset.

We passed nearby Bale on our road to Rovinj and I explained to them that Giacomo Casanova used to visit Bale. They are still to little to know this historical personality but Nina saw parts of the film about Casanova and she heard about him.

Here below is Nina with Rovinj skyline and the bell tower that you can see on the hilltop is very similar to the one you find on the St.Mark square in Venice.

At the entrance of the old town every year Misa and Nina have to buy gifts for their relatives, parents and grandparents. This is our first pit stop. This year they also wanted to buy a gift for their Smrikve coach Miro because they know that very soon he has the birthday, and this will be a surprise for him :).

In front of St.Euphemia church we had the meeting with friends from Japan that are living in Milan. Keiko is an old friend and she helped Smrikva Bowl to get first players from Japan and was very pleased and honoured with her friend to make a photo with Nina and Miso.

The pizza we prefer in Rovinj is located in Grisia street – Pizza da Sergio.

On the picture below you see Miso and Nina buying last gifts for their relatives in a street that the second Sunday of August transform into open art exhibition street – Grisia.

Rovinj is so lovelly. At each step you make you find an art gallery, and I am glad that Nina started to note the beauty of Rovinj.

The first impression to her was that in Rovinj everything was so old… but every time we come back to Rovinj she appreciates Rovinj’s beauty more and more…

After pizza night we were going to the parking place to take the car and ticket Misa forgot in the car :) and another beatuy attracted Nina, Miso and Mila attention. It was 63 meters Superyacht Kolaha that was making the bay even more beautiful with its lights yesterday night, and the kids dreamed about how beautiful the interior might be.

It was a nice Rovinj pizza evening :)

11/07/10

Nina Marjanovic and Miomir Kecmanovic are spending their tennis holidays in Smrikve

Miomir Kecmanovic and Nina Marjanovic are spending their tennis holidays in Smrikve. Few weeks ago they were crowned this year OUATT Kids Cup Champions in under 11 and under 12 age group cathegories. They are both former Smrikva Bowl pšlayers and every summer they come to make us a visit and spend some time with Miro on the courts.

Yesterday was Saturday night and the night off. After the hard training week and the evening training that finished at 8 PM they quickly showered and prepared for the concert in Arena.

Mila is Nina’s sister and hopefully next year she will play Smrikva Bowl. She plays very nice tennis and yesterday she showered the court to allow Nina and Misa to prepare for the Saturday night in Pula.

This was Misa’s and Nina’s first time for a concert in Arena. It was over 3 hours concert in honour of 10 years of Theatre Ulysess started by Rade Serbedzija and friends a decade ago.

Every summer on Brioni islands various shows are performed by Ulysess theatre group in a beatiful setting such as Minor fortress is.

Many Ulysess’ friends gathered and the concert was wounderfull full of Regionally known musician and actors.

Here below is Djordje Balasevic and his Ringispil.

Today is a day off for Miso and Nina with pizza night :).

04/07/10

Eleanor Dean, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, reached 3rd round of Junior Wimbledon

Eleanor Dean is from Great Britain and she was the outperformer of the 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 when she won Smrikva Bowl. She lived and trained in Spain at Marco Tennis Academy and today she lives in Wimbledon, next to All England club, and trains at the NTC (National Training Academy).

Last week Eleonor Dean played Junior Wimbledon and although she is only 14 years old she did a great tournament. Eleonor is currently ranked # 825 on ITF ranking list and in the first round she defeated Gabriela Dabrowski – #7 ITF player.

1st round: Eleanor Dean (Gbr) – G. Dabrowski (Can) 3:6, 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: Eleanor Dean (Gbr)-Ksenia Kirillova (Rus) 6:4,0:6,6:4
3rd round: Eleanor Dean (Gbr) – Kristyna Pliskova (Cze) 0:6, 2:6

The ranking of the players with whom Eleonor played on Junior Wimbledon is the following:

Gabriela Dabrowski (Can) – #7 ITF ranking list
Ksenia Kirillova (Rus) – #141 ITF ranking list
Kristyna Pliskova (Cze) – #94 ITF ranking list

Congratulations Eleanor!

Here below you can learn more about Eleonor via interview made recently by ACE Tennis Magazin.

... and this is an article published in February 2007 where Eleonor was talking about her dreams… Eleanor Dean a possible future Tennis Star on www.expatica.com, “Simply the best: Wimbledon champion of tomorrow?”

Please enjoy this old article about Eleanor Dean a possible future Tennis Star.

Simply the best: Wimbledon champion of tomorrow?

We all know British tennis star Andy Murray trained in Barcelona, but did you know another British world champion player (aged 10) plays on the Costa del Sol?

It may seem a bit early to be talking about Wimbledon, but in the competitive world of tennis, there’s no let-up in the preparation for the world’s most famous tournament.

And what better place to forecast the future of the British game than in sunny Spain, where you can train outdoors to your heart’s content.

And making the most of the training facilities at the Marco Tennis Academy in Elviria is ten year old Eleanor Dean, who’s been training there for three years and is already the world champion (yes, world champion) in the 10 and Under category. And guess what? She’s British!

“After tennis training, I do one hour of just physical training every day,” explains Eleanor, a fluent and intelligent talker, already au fait with the demands of the game and the necessity to talk to the media in this age of Internet communication and 24-hour news.

And she’s open about her approach to big tournaments: “At first you’re a bit nervous, because you watch the other players practising next to you and you think ‘wow, they are so good!’ but then once you get onto the court and you feel how they hit the ball, then it’s fine.

“I feel excited then, because I know I am going to enjoy the match. It feels great to win. It’s fun to be holding the trophy while everyone is taking pictures.”

A British player who enjoys winning? It seems somewhat at odds with the traditional British schooling of ‘it’s the taking part that matters’.

She demonstrates her ambition with an aggressive rasping cross-court volley to her coach Andres Marco (one half of the Marco tennis empire – his brother Daniel is also enthusiastically involved with the centre).

Eleanor’s pleasant nature seems somewhat at odds with her on-court presence, but that’s all part of the psychology of lulling your opponent into a false sense of security.

“We have trained and if I may say ‘created’ some top class international juniors,” says Marco with pride.

“When you go to tournaments you see lots of dogs but very few wolves, because the number of factors which create a true champion are enormous – physical condition, the ability to learn, dealing with stress and having the intelligence to really understand the game.

“The game has also had an incredible evolution, it is far more professional than it was even fifteen years ago. You now have amazing bio-mechanical and audio-visual aids to track your performance. It’s far more competitive than it used to be.”

And it’s not just about enhancing your own skills; you need to pay close attention to the opposition.

Marco’s protégé is already on the case: “I see a lot of tennis on TV,” says Eleanor. “I was watching Maria Sharapova playing another girl and I noticed she was serving slices to this girl because she wasn’t very good on her backhand. All the players have different tactics.”

So, with all this information, ability and drive, what does Eleanor aspire to be? Her answer is swift and unequivocal. “Number One.”

03/07/10

Good news from La Baule - OUATT Kids Cup played in France this week: Yshai Oliel, Nina Marjanovic and Miomir Kecmanovic, all Smrikva Bowl players, won in their respective age groups

Two days ago I received from Bora Marjanovic, Nina’s father, a messagge that both Nina and Miomir were in the finals in La Baule (France) at OUATT Kids Cup. Today Miomir’s aunt, Tanja, confirmed to me that they both won OUATT World Finals in their age groups and that tomorrow they are expected to reach Smrikve. Miomir defeated in the finals Samuele Ramazzotti from Italy, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 runner up.

Nina and Miomir both played Smrikva Bowl and last summer they trained in Smrikve.

Today I received another nice messagge from La Baule and it is a messagge from Jan Pochter – Yshai Oliel’s coach and he informed me about Yshai victory in France and I am very proud of all three of them for the victory and for Samuele for reaching the finals.

Here below is Jan’s e-mail.

Dear Miodrag,

I want to thank you for the amazing hospitality and excellent competition. Yshai has gained much experience. Hope to return next year.

Thank you to everyone hello to your mother, your father and all. Yshai won at La Baule

First round won player from Germany 5:1 5-0
Second Round won Karim from Dubai 5:1 5:1
Quarter-final won player from France 5:1 5:0
Semifinal beat Rimpei from Japan 5:3 5:1
Final won player from Mexico 5:4 5:0

Thanks so much for everything,

Jan Pochter

On the following picture there are three other 15th Smrikva Bowl boys on the picture with Yshai: Edoardo Cecere, Manuelle Micca and Karim Najia; all Smrikva Bowl players. I heard that Karim and Yshai won the doubles competition in France.

On this group picture, a part of recognizing Yshai, I also recognized from left to right side Nina Marjanovic and Miomir Kecmanovic.

Here below is Yshai with Rimpei Kawakami from Japan that also played this year Smrikva BOwl.

Thank you Jan for the pictures. Tomorrow I will see Nina and Miomir and hear more about the experience and special congratulations to Yshai, Nina and Miomir!

30/06/10

TENNIS TALENTS stage run by Luca Appino, TT founders and Golden Honorary Smrikva Bowl member, prepared for the 15th SMRIKVA BOWL 2010 players, families and coaches was concluded yesterday

Luca Appino is a long term Smrikva Bowl friend and Golden Honorary Member since this title was established. Luca was for many years Babolat Director Of Sports Marketing and contributed to built up Babolat from a string company to one of the largest racquet manufacturers in the World. He is also credited for signing contracts with players such as Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Kim Clijsters, Carlos Moya, Dinara Safina, Nadia Petrova, Aravane Rezzai, etc.

Here below you can see Luca this Monday morning preparing the last tips for his first Tennis Talents Stage on Pillars for the Smrikva Bowl 2010 players, families and coaches.

In 2009 Luca Appino decided to start, in collaboration with Toni Nadal, to share his experience through TENNIS TALENTS advisory service. The main service is focused on helping junior talented players and their parents in building their professional tennis career.

The first Tennis Talents program on the Pillars for the Smrikva Bowl 2010 players was held in Smrikve on 28th and 29th of June 2010.

The foccus of the lessons was on the four TT Pillars:
1. Sensation
2. Respiration
3. Timing
4. Hitting point

The Class was run by Luca, while myself, Miro Hrvatin and Ariana Rabac assisted Luca during the program and enjoyed this very particular and extraordinary Class of talents.

The first Smrikve TT Alumni are:

• Jovana Vukovic
• Tamara Dlacic
• Kosta Petrov

• Alexa Butera
• Kiro Bara
• Andreja Petrovic

• Claire Liu
• Kiran Dhull
• Max Motlagh

PLAYERS ARE MAKING SHOTS, SHOTS ARE NOT MAKING PLAYERS is Luca’s TT slogan and the program AIM IS TO HELP PLAYERS GROWING AS UNIQUE INDIVIDUALS STATING FROM THE FOUNDATIONS OF THE GAME: THE PILLARS

I am pleased to share the program because this class was very helpfull and I would use the word surprising for the participants.

Each of us that lived the experience learned many important and new things that ure usefull for high level tennis. I would be pleased if this experience allow our Alumni and parents to do even better in the future.

TENNIS TALENTS Trianing Sessions will be held two times per year in Smrikve to help Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors in their tennis grow and yearly will be done for families during the Smrikva Bowl.

I am also glad that many established relationships between Luca Appino and Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors and their families might continue in the future.

Smrikva Bowl 2010 program was the following:

MONDAY 28/6 – FIRST DAY

• 8:30-9:00 Players ‘ registration and welcome gift distribution

• 9:00-9:30 (Court 2) Method TT: introduction and warm up through coordination and ability exercises

• 9:30-10:30 Court 2: one to one – Court 3: group session
(Pillar 1: SENSATIONS) working on ground strokes :
Physical: overall body relaxation and feeling;
Technical/tactical: shot sequences and rhythm of execution;
Mental: focus on the sensations and sounds to develop concentration and attention
Ex. : In service area: CC/DL, touch and hit (with or without bounce), matches

• 10:30-11:30 Court 2: one to one – Court 3: group session
(Pillar 2: RESPIRATION) working on:
Physical: muscles relief and activation, breathing control;
Technical/tactical: timing and rhythm of execution;
Mental: focus on breathing control and muscles tension;
Ex. : starting in service area, than ¾ court, than from the baseline + differentiation (deep/short, high/low, more/less spin)

• 11:30-12:00 Court 2: one to one – Court 3: group session
(Pillar 1: SENSATION) working on serve:
Physical: muscles relief and activation,;
Technical/tactical: timing and rhythm of execution;
Mental: rituals;
Ex. : starting in service area, than ¾ court, than from the baseline

• 14:00-15:00 Court 2: one to one – Court 3: group session
(Pillar 3: TIMING) working on ground strokes:
Physical: muscle relief and acceleration;
Technical/tactical: efficiency of the kinetic chain and quality of the impacts;
Mental: focus on timing sensation and rhythm to develop concentration and attention
Ex. : series of shots and rallies

• 15:00-16:00 Court 2: one to one – Court 3: group session
(Pillar 4: HITTING POINT) working on ground strokes:
Physical: footwork and ball trajectory evaluation;
Technical/tactical: efficiency of the shots and time reaction;
Mental: focus on timing impact and aggressiveness
Ex. : series of shots and rallies

• 16:30-17:00 Court 2: one to one – Court 3: group session
(Pillar 3: TIMING) working on serve and smash:
Physical: muscle relief and acceleration;
Technical/tactical: efficiency of the kinetic chain and quality of the impacts;
Mental: rituals; focus on timing sensation and rhythm to develop concentration and attention
Ex. : starting in service area, than ¾ court, than from the baseline

• 17:00-17:15 cool down

• 17:15-18:00 Q&A

TUESDAY 29/6 – SECOND DAY

• 9:00-9:30 (Court 2) Method TT: recall and warm up through coordination and ability exercises

• 9:30-10:30 Court 2: one to one – Court 3: group session
(Pillar 1: SENSATIONS) working on volleys:
Physical: overall body relaxation and feeling;
Technical/tactical: shot sequences and rhythm of execution;
Mental: focus on the sensations and sounds to develop concentration and attention
Ex. : In service area: CC/DL, touch and hit (with or without bounce), matches

• 15:00-16:00 Court 2: one to one – Court 3: group session
(Pillar 4: HITTING POINT) working on ground strokes and volleys:
Physical: footwork and ball trajectory evaluation;
Technical/tactical: efficiency of the shots and time reaction;
Mental: focus on timing impact and aggressiveness
Ex. : series of shots and rallies

• 17:00-17:15 cool down

• 17:15-18:00 Q&A

I am pleased to thanks all the players and families, Luca, Miro and Ariana for these two days of growing tennis talents in Smrikve together.

28/06/10

15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 Press Release

PULA, CROATIA 22nd of JUNE – 27th of JUNE 2010

15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 – tennis tournament for boys and girls under 10 – gathered over 100 boys and girls from over 30 countries. It was another successful annual and Smrikva Bowl from this years counts its Ambassadors in 49 countries and all the continents.

The proof of the Smrikva Bowl importance is given by the names of the winners:

• Vilim Visak (Cro) – Natali Zuliani (Cro) – 1996
• Željko Perić (Cro) – Ivana Lisjak (Cro) – 1997
• Filip Kovačić (Cro) – Mateja Horvat (Cro) – 1998
• Borko Mudronja (Cro) – Astrid Besser (I) – 1999
• Adelchi Virgili (I) – Tereza Mrdeža (Cro) – 2000
• Marin Draganja (Cro) – Petra Martić (Cro) – 2001
• Javier Marti (ESP) – Martina Caregaro (I) – 2002
• Dominic Thiem (A)- Jennifer Ren (UK) – 2003
• Ivan Levar (Cro) – Saska Gavrilovska (SRB) – 2004
• Matteo Donati (I) – Saska Gavrilovska (SRB) – 2005
• Gianluigi Quinzi (I)- Eleonor Dean (UK) – 2006
• Sacha Merzetti (I) – Virgina Pena (ESP) – 2007
• Luka Panic (SUI) – Katarina Jokic (BiH) – 2008
• Alvaro Regalado (ESP) – Katie Swan (UK) – 2009
• Nicola Kuhn (ESP) – Jovana Vuković (SRB)- 2010

Nicola Kuhn from Spain won the boys finals, while Jovana Vuković from Serbia won the girls finals. The winners won mountain bikes – the traditional Smrikva Bowl prize, 7 week stage at Patrick Mouratoglou Academy in Paris, sportswear from Sergio Tacchini and Wilson’s rackets.

On 27th of June 2010, the selected Smrikva Bowl players: Nicola Kuhn (ESP), Karlo Suevich (CRO), Jovana Vukovic (SRB) and Paula Arias Manjon (ESP) played the 9th “Little Mo” / Smrikva Bowl in Smrikve Tennis Club in Pula, Croatia. Max Motlagh, Claire Liu and Alexa Butera have been selected by MCB foundation to represent the “Little Mo” in this unique event. Smrikva Bowl team won with the result of 6:0.

The Smrikve Tennis Club and the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation have created “Little Mo”/ Smrikva Bowl in 2002, the first-ever international competition between the United States and Europe for boys and girls 10 & under. Since then, Smrikva Bowl has grown in a global tournament and gathers top players from all around the World.

15th SMRIKVA BOWL RESULTS

Boys:

Finals:
Nicola Kuhn (ESP) – Karlo Suevich (CRO) (6:3 6:0);

Semifinals:
Nicola Kuhn (ESP) – Yshai Oliel (ISR) (9:7);
Karlo Suevich (CRO) – Andrei Taica Radu (ROM) (9:1);

Quarterfinals:
Nicola Kuhn (ESP) – Micha Lanz (SUI) (9:3);
Karlo Suevich (CRO) – Kosta Petrov (SRB) (9:0);
Yshai Oliel (ISR) – Edoardo Cecere (ITA) (9:1);
Andrei Taica Radu (ROM) – Tomas Machac (ROM) (9:5).

Girls:

Finals:
Jovana Vukovic (SRB) – Paula Arias Manjon (6:1, 6:1);

Semifinals:
Jovana Vukovic (SRB) – Kristina Novak (SLO) (9:4);
Paula Arias Manjon (ESP) – Neli Šunjić (CRO) (9:8);

Quarterfinals:
Jovana Vukovic (SRB)– Rafaela Slišković (CRO) (9:1);
Paula Arias Manjon (ESP) – Lucie Kankova (CZE) (9:3);
Neli Šunjić (CRO) – Irina Cantos Simers (BEL) (9:4); Kristina Novak (SLO) – Karla Kilić (CRO) (9:7).

9th “Little Mo”/SMRIKVA BOWL 2010 RESULTS

“Little Mo” SMRIKVA BOWL

Claire Liu (USA) – Jovana Vukovic (SRB)(2:6 2:6)
Alexa Butera (USA) – Paula Arias Manjon (ESP)(1:6 0:6)

Max Motlagh (USA) – Nicola Kuhn (ESP) (0:6 1:6)

Claire Liu (USA) – Paula Arias Manjon (ESP)(6:7 6:7)
Alexa Butera (USA) – Jovana Vukovic (SRB)(0:6 0:6)

Max Motlagh (USA) – Karlo Suevich (CRO) (0:6 0:6)

FINAL RESULTS 0 – 6

Thanks to the all Smrikva Bowl supporters and especially to the:
Thanks to all Smrikva Bowl supporters and especially to the:
Smrikva Bowl Staff
Smrikva Bowl Sponsors
Golden Honorary Smrikva Bowl Members
Honorary Smrikva Bowl Members

27/06/10

Smrikva Bowl players won the 9th "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl 2010 competition

15^th Smrikva Bowl 2010 Draws and Results

Smrikva Bowl team won today the 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2010 competition with the final result of 6:0.

26/06/10

15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 Main Draw winners are Jovana Vuković and Nicolas Kuhn, while the Consolation Draw winners are: Bodin Žarković and Emma Zakordoniec

15^th Smrikva Bowl 2010 Draws and Results

Main Draw Winners:

BOYS
Nicola Kuhn (ESP)

GIRLS
Jovana Vuković (SRB)

Consolation Draw Winners:

BOYS
Bodin Žarković (SRB)

GIRLS
Emma Zakordoniec (POL)

THE LONG DAY OF THE SMRIKVA BOWL FINALS....

Early in the morning the court for the finals receives the final preparation. The flowers, the trophies and the bikes get on the court. The lines get cleaned and the chairs for the linesman get prepared…

Damir is giving the last instructions to the ball boys that makes every year Smrikva Bowl finals a special moments. Many players from the tournament put the Sergio Tacchini wear and helped the finalist to focus on their game and to avoid thinking where the balls is or weather the ball is in or out…

The 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 finalists of the Ladies Main Draw get prepared to enter the court. On the left side you can see Paula Arias Manjon and on the right side of the picture you see Jovana Vuković-Joka – last year finalist and this year winner.

Traditional flowers were brought on the court by Kristina Novak and Anja Gal.

Joka is among the strongest and most talented girls I have ever seen playing Smrikva Bowl since the tournament foundation in 1996.

She was among those players on this year edition that hits the ball with the racket head speed increasing right before the point of contact and every her ball has increadible power and precision….

On the picture below you can see Paula Arias Manjon in action. She is still tiny and remined me a little bit of another finalist of the Smrikva Bowl – Virginia Pena.

Joka in action... on every ball she has excellent balance and concentration… it is quite rare in this age group to have a player that hits winners…

There are almost no players on Smrikva Bowl that actually push the ball but Joka hits the ball with an ability that I have seen on on older players…

Luca Appino was also impressed with the finals and followed with the attention the matches…

Every year the girls starts first and later on the boys enter the court. Around 10:30 AM the boys were preparing to enter the court. The last briefing and the traditional picture is made before their final.

Nicolas Kuhn is on the left side of the picture and Karlo Suevich on the right side.

The support boys on the picture you see are Kosta Petrov and Vuk Vuković – Joka’s brother.

Karlo Suevich last year reached the semifinals and this year was able to make one more step and enter the finals…

Anja Hrelja started to play tennis last year and is only 7 years old. She is foccused on the game and this is her first Smrikva Bowl as ball girl and I hope she get inspired with this experience thus she can one day play Smrikva Bowl too…

Karlo did his best. Probably in the second set he started to feel that Nicolas was too dominant today, but after the match he told me he was better today but I am gona work to be more prepared next time we meet...

Nicolas Kuhn played another very hard match a day before in the semifinals with Yishai Oliel and after turning the result he made yesterday his confidence was so strong during the finals…

THE AWARDING CERIMONY....

The linesman and ball boys created the setting for the awarding cerimony. Many ball boys already changed their Sergio Tacchini white wear because they knew that after the finals the swimming pool will be open…

The finalist get traditionally awarded with the mountain bike, Wilson International Contracts, and one week training in Mouratoglou Academy...

This year winners both already play with Wilson… and Nicolas was so happy that he will have new rackets because the one he has should be changed as he told me… he looked at my K-Blade and he like it…

I explained to him that Wilson will offer him several testing rackets and he will choose the one that suits best to him and his game… I also explained to him that Jacob Martin and Renaud Vallon will help him to choose the best one…

Joka playes with new BLX model and she already has the National Contract in Serbia but the International Contract will allowed her to get more equipment she needs… during the cerimony her brother Vuk said that he would likes a racket too :))...

On the picture below you can see Joka while she gets the trophy and Luca tell her that she made 27 winners during the game and only 6 non forced errors…

This year Smrikva Bowl had probably the highest level ever…

On the picture below you can see players that received trophies during the awarding cerimony:

Consolation Draw Girls:
1. Emma Zakordoniec
2. Donia Abdel Aziz
3. Tamara Dlačić
3. Adela Joldić

Consolation Draw Boys:
1. Bodin Žarković
2. Jan Kupčić
3. Ewan Lumsden
3. Manuele Micca

Main Draw Girls:
1. Jovana Vuković
2. Paula Arias Manjon
3. Neli Šunjić
3. Kristina Novak

Main Draw Boys:
1. Nicolas Kuhn
2. Karlo Suevich
3. Yshai Oliel
3. Andrei Radu Taica

Traditionally the Smrikva Bowl winners sign a Wilson US Open ball. You may note that this one is a new ball and is a donation from Justin Lee that was part of the “Little Mo” team and he bought it during the last year US Open and send it to Smrikve because the ball I bought in 1998 in New York is already full of past edition winners signatures.

Here is Jovana Vuković signing the ball…

and Nicolas…

Since 1996… the winners ride the bike and this year is the turn of Joka and Nicolas and one bike goes to Serbia and the other one to Spain… Joka’s brother Vuk also tasted the bike in the afternoon :)...

15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 cake was a tennis court with a racket and the cake was cut by Joka, Nicolas, Karlo and Paula…

FINALLY THE SWIMMING POOL DAY!!!...

After the cake and sandwiches most of the awarded players had another award… the swimming pool day...

I close this finals report with the last picture from the swimming pool where from right to left you can see Paula that was swimming in her tennis wear :)... Joka, Matic, Vuk, Kiro, Nicolas and a player I do not recognize because of the hair on his face…

Tomorrow at 9:00 AM the 9th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2010 will be played.

25/06/10

15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 continued today and the Finalists of both Main and Consolation Draw are known. At 6:00 PM "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl teams were presented

15^th Smrikva Bowl 2010 Draws and Results (till Finals)

Main Draw Finalists:

BOYS
Karlo Suevich (CRO)
Nicola Kuhn (ESP)

GIRLS
Paula Arias Manjon (ESP)
Jovana Vuković (SRB)

Consolation Draw Finalists:

BOYS
Jan Kupčič (SLO)
Bodin Žarković (SRB)

GIRLS
Emma Zakordoniec (POL)
Donia Abdel Aziz (ENG)

THE QUARTERFINALS AND SEMIFINALS DAY WAS FULL OF NICE MATCHES...

Almost each player seen on the courts yesterday showed top quality.

Neli Sunjic played well against both players, the very strong left handed Irina Cantos Simers from Belgium and later on against Paula Arias Manjon.

Paula Arias Manjon was able to remain calm till the end of the match and qualified into the finals.

Lucie Kankova that played with Paula in the quarterfinals noted the very good top spin balls that Paula is able to hit.

Kristina Novak was able to turn the match in her favour when she played with Karla Kilic but later on Jovana Vukovic, last year Smrikva Bowl finalist, played with her and reached the finals.

Jovana played her quarterfinals with Rafaela Sliskovic that showed great potential. In the picture below you can see Rafa and her mother before the match.

Last mother’s advise was to Rafa was every day the same… just keep smiling :)... a parents attitude to take an example from

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

We had a special guest who assisted Rafa’s and Jovana Vukovic match, the two times Smrikva Bowl winner – Saska Gavrilovska. I saw Saska last time in 2005 and today she is a young lady. Always smiling as she was smiling when she was 10 years old and today is on the road to became a professional player.

The day was full of nice matches with excellent strokes, and a lot of tennis inteligence.

In the Boys Main Draw the first seed player Karlo Suevich defeated Kosta Petrov from Serbia and later on Andrei Taica Radu from Romenia.

Nicola Kuhn defeated Micha Lanz from Switzerland in the quarterfinals and later on he played the semifinals against Yshai Oliel from Israel.

Yshai was leading Nicola by 5 to 0 and in end Nicola was able to close the set in his favour with the result of 9:7. Many people gathered to watch the art of tennis on court #2 where Nicola and Yshai were performing.

We had two quarterfinalists: Micha Lanz and Kosta Petrov that are playing tennis for less than two years and this is unusual on the Smrikva Bowl thus they both have potential to improve in the near future.

Edoardo Cecere lost to the strong left hended Yshai but I am pleased to recall that Edoardo is one of the few players on the Smrikva Bowl that play one hand beckhand that in the future might pay his efforts.

Tomas Machac has an impressive game and when he grow up just a little his excellent timing and racket speed right before the point of contact will reward him too.

I am pleased to put the following photo because of the boys on the tournament… Matic and Andrea… :)

AT 6 PM “LITTLE MO” / SMRIKVA BOWL TEAM PRESENTATION WAS HELD...

Many gifts were prepared for the players to reward their arrival to the finals and to wellcome the US players…

The team that will represent Smrikva Bowl and the Rest of the World this year are: Karlo Suevich from Croatia, Nicola Kuhn from Spain, Jovana Vukovic from Serbia and Paola Arias Manjon from Spain.

On the pictures below you can see Smrikva Bowl with the gifts received from Novak Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic.

The “Little Mo” team that will represent this year the US are: Claire Liu (Thousand Oaks – California), Alexa Butera – Johnston (Iowa) and Max Motlagh – Richardson (Texas).

Tomorrow at 9:00 AM the finals will start.

25/06/10

15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 continued today and the Semifinalists of both Main and Consolation Draw are known. At 4:00 PM the Semifinals will be played and at 6:00 PM "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl teams will be presented

15^th Smrikva Bowl 2010 Draws and Results (till Semifinals)

Main Draw Semifinalists:

BOYS
Karlo Suevich (CRO)
Andrei Taica Radu (ROM)

Nicola Kuhn (ESP)
Yshai Oliel (ISR)

GIRLS
Neli Šunjić (CRO)
Paula Arias Manjon (ESP)

Kristina Novak (SLO)
Jovana Vuković (SRB)

Consolation Draw Semifinalists:

BOYS
Manuele Micca (ITA)
Jan Kupčič (SLO)

Bodin Žarković (SRB)
Ewan Lumsden (SCO)

GIRLS
Adela Joldić (BIH)
Emma Zakordoniec (POL)

Tamara Dlačić (SRB)
Donia Abdel Aziz (ENG)

24/06/10

15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 continued today and the Quarterfinalists of both Main and Consolation Draw are known. At 6:00 PM the Tennis Talents project was presented by Luca Appino

15^th Smrikva Bowl 2010 Draws and Results (till Quarterfinals)

Main Draw Quarterfinalists:

BOYS
Karlo Suevich (CRO)
Kosta Petrov (SRB)

Tomas Machac (CZE)
Andrei Taica Radu (ROM)

Nicola Kuhn (ESP)
Micha Lanz (SUI)

Yshai Oliel (ISR)
Edoardo Cecere (ITA)

GIRLS
Neli Šunjić (CRO)
Irina Cantos Simers (BEL)

Paula Arias Manjon (ESP)
Lucie Kankova (CZE)

Kristina Novak (SLO)
Karla Kilić (CRO)

Rafaela Slišković (CRO)
Jovana Vuković (SRB)

Consolation Draw Quarterfinalists:

BOYS
Andrej Đurić (BIH)
Manuele Micca (ITA)

Jan Kupčič (SLO)
Lancelot Carnello (SWE)

Cameron Kerr (SCO)
Bodin Žarković (SRB)

Karim Najia (LEB)
Ewan Lumsden (SCO)

GIRLS
Adela Joldić (BIH)
Irma Ustavdić (BIH)

Emma Zakordoniec (POL)
Joanne Züger (SUI)

Kiran Dhull (IND)
Tamara Dlačić (SRB)

Donia Abdel Aziz (ENG)
Lucija Lebo (CRO)

THIRD DAY STARTED AGAIN WITH FIRST SEED PLAYER OF THE GIRLS DRAW AND WAS FOLLOWED BY MANY TOP LEVEL MATCHES...

Neli Sunjic from Split, native town of Goran Ivanisevic, Mario Ancic, Niki Pilic and Zeljko Franulovic, played with Dalila Said from Egypt in the third round. It was a nice match were both girls showed a very high level of the game.

Rafaela Sliskovic, a Croatian player from Solin, on the picture below, defeated another very strong player from Poland – Ana Hertel. Rafaela played with heart her game and was very brave. Later on speaking with Rafaela’s mother I learned that she loves tennis and this love is coming from her.

On the picture below, on the right side to Rafaela, you can also see Olga Danilovic from Belgrade another very promissing girl.

Jovana Vukovic Joka, second seed and last year Smrikva Bowl finalist, played with #1 girl from Makedonia – Marija Elenova and it was another match I had opportunity to enjoy. They are both physically strong girls with powerfull strokes and ability to build the game.

On the picture below you can see Edoardo Cecere with his coach from Italy that defeated Riccardo Perin, also from Italy, and this winter Lemon Bowl winner. I am pleased to recall that Riccardo donated to our library a book about Potito Storace that signatures of people that worked with Storace to build his career make very special.

Edaordo is one of the few players that play one hand beckhand on this year Smrikva Bowl and is in Smrikve with other two nice friends Filippo Moroni and Manuele Micca.

Tomas Machac from Czech Republic and Tennis Club Sparta Praha also did well and enter the quarterfinals. He played with Yannick Skinneger from Switzerland that also, such as Riccardo Perin, made this winter the top result on Lemon Bowl.

I am pleased to recall that Tomas Machac is the player who donated to Smrikve signed Smrikva Bowl cap with many top World players. On the picture below you see him with the family.

AFTER A LONG DAY AT 6 PM WITH HAD A PLEASURE TO HEAR ABOUT LUCA’s EXPERIENCE AND HIS THOUGHTS ABOUT TENNIS TALENTS...

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.

Luca tried to explain the vision of Tennis Talents project and he explained how difficult the path is and how mutch of knowledge is required to limit the errors.

Statistically, worldwide, not more than 10 to 12, both males and females, for each year of birth, reach the professional TOP 50 ranking in the world.

He pointed out how the results obtained as juniors are important but not decisive and how is fundamental to consider these results only as road steps but never as arrival point.

Today one of the most experienced coaches present on this year Smrikva Bowl that started to play tennis in 1953 talked to me about his methods and about his passion towards tennis and I enjoyed listening to him.

He is from Tuzla (Bosnia and Herzegovina) and he brought few players from his school to the tournament in the past. The word he used to describe Smrikva Bowl was that for him Smrikva Bowl is a developing experience for kids, and I liked his observation to think that maybe this experience could help these kids to express the most of their potential – and not only in tennis.

TOMORROW AT 6 PM THE “LITTLE MO”/SMRIKVA BOWL TEAM PRESENTATION IS SCHEDULED...

On Sunday 27th of June, the Smrikva Bowl finalist will play with the players selected by MCB Tennis Foundation that will represent the US and “Little Mo” team. This year the 9th annual will be played.

The first “Little Mo” player that already arrived in Smrikve is Claire Liu on the picture below.

Many good mathes were played today and hopefully will be also the case tomorrow. Tomorrow both the quarterfinals and semifinals are played.

22/06/10

15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 continued today and at 6:00 PM the players were nominated Ambassadors and planted their Olive Tree

Second day of the 15th annual it was a long day with a lot of nice and strong matches that concluded at 6 PM with the Ambassadors Nomination Cerimony and planting of a traditional Olive Tree.

During the cerimony each brought book for the Smrikva Bowl Library was presented and after the nomination we can say Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors reached 49 countries and all the continents

Here below is the draw till the 3rd round of the 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 and also you will find the results of the first matches that were concluded of the Consolation Draw.

15^th Smrikva Bowl 2010 Draws and Third Round Results

THE DAY STARTED WITH FIRST SEED PLAYER OF THE GIRLS DRAW THAT JUST FEW DAYS AGO CELEBRATED HER BIRTHDAY – NELI SUNJIC...

Neli played last year Smrikva Bowl but since last year she was able to continue to progress in her game. It was nice to enjoy her clean tecnique and smart play…

The second seed and last year finalist, Jovana Vukovic – Joka, played around 12:00 PM against a promissing player from Slovenia Anja Gal.

Also Jovana made significant progress in her game that was already extraordinary last year when she played. Jovana is currently ranked #1 in under 12 age group in Serbia.

Each of the first four seeded player has passed the second round: Neli Sunjic, Jovana Vukovic- last year Smrikva Bowl finalist, Kristina Novak – this year Lemon Bowl winner, and Lucie Kankova – last year Smrikva Bowl Consolation Draw winner…

IN THE AFTERNOON THE BOYS MAIN DRAW WAS PLAYED...

There are many strong players in the Boys Main Draw and like in the Girls Draw all four seeded player passed into second round: Karlo Suevich – last year semifinalist, Riccardo Perin – this year Lemon Bowl winner, Nicola Kuhn and Andrei Taica Radu…

Nicola Kuhn played against a young Croatian promissinig player, Duje Ajdukovic, that conquered girls’ hearts in just few days of his presence on the tournament.

Yesterday night Duje played doubles just for fun with Mihaela from Romenia against Neli Sunjic and Andja Claudia Karanusic. It was a lovely double.

Duje has a Dalmatian accent when he speaks and he was giving all of him self to play well this match and every time Mihaela was hitting a good ball he was saying…”bravo mala...”. It was a fantastic, funny and relaxing tennis doubles evening…

In the following picture you can see young Duje in action in his match with Nicola Kuhn...

AT 6 PM THE AMBASSADORS NOMINATION CERIMONY STARTED... IT IS ALWAYS AN IMPORTANT SMRIKVA BOWL MOMENT...

It is the Ambassadors word that over the years helped Smrikva Bowl to grow and spread in so many countries, and it is a moment when every player receive a little gift that Smrikva Bowl Sponsors allowed to prepare for them…

It is also the moment for a little story and this year it was a moment to see all the books they brought…

We had a special guest on Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors nomination day – Luca Appino that together with Toni Nadal run the Tennist Talents project.

Luca is credited for founding many talented players when they were kids or still very young players out of which four of them reached the #1 ranking in the World: Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Kim Clijster and Dinara Safina...

Historically Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors were helping us to attract new talents and they are pleased to continue to do so.

A new duty the Ambassadors and their families are in charge since last year it is to spread the word of the Region they visited as Cultural Tourism Destination, and Istria from Smrikve is a virtual book that every Ambassadors is invited to visit in exchange for the book he brought and donated to the Smrikva Bowl Library.

...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 they find information about: architecture, history, people, music, museums, major cultural events, cuisine, top restaurants and the best olive oil and wine producers.

In the following picture you can see Mihaela that played doubles with Duje while she signs the picture and become the Smrikva Bowl Ambassador….

After the signing of picture since last year we play a big team tennis… :)

and with the tree that receives the names of each player and the players that receive a bottle of Smrikva Bowl Olive Oil we close the cerimony…

Tomorrow the third round matches start at 8 AM and a lot of good matches are expected. I noted over the years that from the first day the quality of the Smrikva Bowl matches is comparable to a second week of a Grand Slam Tournaments.

22/06/10

15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 started today at 8:30 AM with "Rondo" dancing group.

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

There are many players with 2, 3 or 4 passports thus 9 new countries will have new Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors: India, Sweden, Belgium, Malta, Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Lebanon and Israel.

With this new countries Smrikva Bowl has reached 49 countries represented on the tournament over the years, and on the 15th annual there are over 30 countries represented.

The draws are ready and the first matches started.

Tomorrow at 6 PM 15th Smrikva Bowl players will be nominated Ambassadors and will plant as per tradition an Olive Tree.

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

22/06/10

15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 players list

World in Smrikve ... there are nine new countries from which we expect to have new Ambassadors nominated this year: Malta, India, Sweden, Argentina, Lebanon, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Belgium and Israel thus with the new countries Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors will be spread in almost 50 countries and all the continents.

The level of the players is expected very high. There are many talented players among 109 registered participants.

The creation of the Smrikva Bowl Library started last year and the Smrikva Bowl players brought new books representing the culture of the places they are coming from. Thank you all!

I am pleased to announce this year names of the players that honoured us with their arrival:

Girls

Neli Šunjić (CRO)
Camilla Ceppellini (ITA)
Adela Joldić (BIH)
Ema Šiljić (CRO)
Ksenija Krstić (SRB)
Dalila Said (EGY)
Irina Cantos Simers (BEL)
Martina Pavoković (CRO)
Yosra Hegy (EGY)
Irma Ustavdić (BIH)
Costanza Traversi (ITA)
Paula Arias Manjon (ESP)
Olga Danilović (SRB)
India Britland (ENG)
Emma Zakordoniec (POL)
Lea Jurković (CRO)
Alexandra Hunter (SCO)
Joanne Züger (SUI)
Mila Mejić (SRB)
Tina Cvetkovič (SLO)
Vesna Savić (SUI)
Lucie Kankova (CZE)
Kristina Novak (SLO)
Isidora Smiljanić (SRB)
Armina Izić (BIH)
Anđa Karanušić (CRO)
Aylin Abdioglu (TUR)
Kiran Dhull (IND)
Mia Cajkovsky (AUT)
Karla Kilić (CRO)
Carlotta Romito (ITA)
Tamara Dlačić (SRB)
Mihaela Marculescu (ROM)
Donia Abdel Aziz (ENG)
Rafaela Slišković (CRO)
Lian Benedejčič (SLO)
Lara Husagić (BIH)
Benedetta Ivaldi (ITA)
Ania Hertel (POL)
Marija Elenova (MAK)
Lorena Gavrić (CRO)
Giulia Peoni (ITA)
Anja Gal (SLO)
Lucija Lebo (CRO)
Jovana Vuković (SRB)

Boys

Karlo Suevich (CRO)
Andrej Đurić (BIH)
Mattia Bellucci (ITA)
Odissey Gyuney Kavak (TUR)
Tom Ašić Kovač (SLO)
Karim Bendjamaa (SRB)
Arslan Kellou (FRA)
Andreja Petrović (NOR)
Andrea Leonardi (ITA)
Nico Hornitschek (GER)
Dario Montes Khaghani (ESP)
Manuele Micca (ITA)
Kosta Petrov (SRB)
Rafael Izquiredo Luque (ESP)
Vinicius Nogueira (BRA)
Tomas Machac (CZE)
Ahmed Zaid Fahmi (KSA)
Karol Paluch (POL)
Gregorio Maracchioli (ITA)
Matija Volarević (CRO)
Yannick Skinneger (SUI)
Jan Kupčič (SLO)
Rimpei Kawakami (JPN)
Matic Podlipnik (SLO)
Lancelot Carnello (SWE)
Tuna Kaan Ayman (TUR)
Tomas Curras Abasolo (ESP)
Alen Mujanović (BIH)
Riccardo Di Nocera (ITA)
Andrei Taica Radu (ROM)
Nicola Kuhn (ESP)
Alessandro Bussini (ITA)
Duje Ajduković (CRO)
Cameron Kerr (SCO)
Elliot Lamprecht (RSA)
Berke Eser Coskun (TUR)
Kiro Paul Barra (GER)
Mark Keki (HUN)
Filippo Cabano (ITA)
Efe Bora (TUR)
Borna Šeatović (CRO)
Filip Kolasinski (POL)
Andrea Moro (ITA)
Micha Lanz (SUI)
Bodin Žarković (SRB)
Yshai Oliel (ISR)
Yigit Oflaz (TUR)
Tommaso Carnevale (ITA)
Jorge Garcia Sanz (ESP)
Filippo Moroni (ITA)
Benjamin Farrugia (MAL)
Karim Najia (LEB)
Damien Wenger (SUI)
Ewan Lumsden (SCO)
Edoardo Cecere (ITA)
Almir Joldić (BIH)
Lovro Suevich (CRO)
Andrin Saner (SUI)
Vladimir Popović (SRB)
Riccardo Perin (ITA)

“Little Mo” team that will play in the 9th „Little Mo“/Smrikva Bowl:

Kimani Bates – Portage (Michigan – USA)
Max Motlagh – Richardson (Texas – USA)
Claire Liu – Thousand Oaks (California – USA)
Alexa Butera – Johnston (Iowa – USA)

The openning cerimony is scheduled for 8:30 AM this morning while, tomorrow at 6PM 15th Smrikva Bowl players will be nominated the Smrikva Bowl Ambassadors that will be followed by the cerimony of the centuries old Olive Tree planting.

21/06/10

Novak Kristina, last year Smrikva Bowl player and this year Lemon Bowl winner, surprised me today during the registration with the most beautiful hand made bread I've ever received

Today the Smrikva Bowl player of the 15th annual have arrived in Smrikve and they are completing the final registration process.

Every player to register for the tournament brought a book of the town or country he or she is from thus this year Ambassadors are contributing strongly to the creation of the Smrikva Bowl Library. The books received are many and beautiful.

Few days ago Tomas Machak surprised me with the signed Smrikva Bowl cap and today Novak Kristina from Slovania with the following :).

It is a bread made at home and has a tennis racket, the roses, and some other lovely creations.

Thanks Kristina!

Tomorrow morning the list of the accepted players will be published on line.

20/06/10

Arrival of the 15th Smrikva Bowl players started together with new donation of the books for the Smrikva Bowl library. Tomas Machak from Tennis Club Sparta Praha surprised me with a special Smrikva Bowl cap

Few days ago the first Smrikva Bowl player of the 15th annual started to gather in Smrikve and day after day more and more players are arriving.

Yesterday we started the registration process and every player to register for the tournament bring a book of the town or country he is coming from thus contribute to create the Smrikva Bowl Library.

More and more families with the book for the library bring also other small gifts, and every gift is a little surprise. Yesterday Tomas Machak surprised me.

I was surprised when Tomas Machak mother took from her bag a bottle of Becherovka and the last year Smrikva Bowl cap with many signatures on it. The first thing I thought was that it must have not been easy to collect all those signatures.

I was not able to read the signutures but Tomas brought with a cap the list of the players that signed his cap and I still was not understanding that he brought this cap as a gift to Smrikve.

I read the small piece of paper where it was written:

Czech republic tennis player + Jelena Dokic
Bohdan ulihrach
Lukas Dlouhy
Lucie Hradecka
Radek Stepanek
Jelena Dokic
Karel Novacek

Tomas’ father told me that also the signature of Cetkovska is on the cap.

When Tomas told me that this cap was his gift to Smrikve my first reaction was to say that for me it was hard to take it because he must have made a lot of effort to callect all the signatures and many kids are inspired by their top players in the country, but he answered with smile that he collected them for Smrikve.

Tomas’ mother Daniela and father in Czech language explained to me the way he was collecting the signatures and how he asked top players of his country visiting Tennis Club Sparta Praha to sign the cap.

The only thing I was able to think in that moment was to give him another Smrikva Bowl cap from 2009 thus he can have it for memory to remember his last year participation.

The kids are really able to surprise… thanks Tomas!

18/06/10

15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 Press Release for the local media

SVIM MEDIJIMA

Pula, 18. lipanj 2010.

Poštovani,

Tenis klub „Smrikve“ iz Pule, Štinjanska cesta 91, na svojim terenima od 22. do 27. lipnja 2010. godine organizira tradicionalno međunarodno sportsko natjecanje – 15.ti „Smrikva bowl“ 2010 – međunarodni teniski turnir za djevojčice i dječake do 10 godina, na kojem će sudjelovati talenti iz 30-tak zemalja svijeta. (http://www.smrikve.com/smrikva-bowl/)

Od osnutka turnir je uspio privući preko 1.000 talentiranih igrača iz skoro 50 zemalja i sa svih kontinenata. Danas slovi za jedan od najprestižnijih teniskih susreta do 10 godina u svijetu.

Dana 27. lipnja 2010. godine također u organizaciji Tenis kluba „Smrikve“ održat će se 9. „Little Mo-Smrikva Bowl“ na kojem se natječu finalisti „Smrikva bowl-a“ s finalistima „Little Mo“ – prestižnog turnira koji se održava u SAD-u.

Godinama, igrači Smrikva Bowl-a postaju ambasadori turnira, i kao abasadori Smrikve pomažu u okupljanju talenata.

Od prošle godine ambasadori Smrikve počinju širiti riječ o Istri kao kulturnoj turističkoj destinaciji. Prošle godine je pokrenuto stvaranje biblioteke Smrikva Bowl-a te svako dijete pri upisu donosi poklon knjigu iz svoje zemlje ili grada, a igrači se pozivaju da posjete kulturni vodič „Istra from Smrikve“ koja se nalazi na internet stranicama Smrikvi. (http://www.smrikve.com/istria/)

Razvoj Smrikva Bowl-a potpomažu brojni volonteri i prijatelji. Posebne zahvale idu ovogodišnjim sponzorima: igračima i rekreativcima Tenis kluba Smrikve; tvrtkama: Ronzio Oleodinamica, Sergio Tacchini, Mouratoglou Tennis Academy, Wilson, Komot, Shake, Duravit, IZO, Puljanka, Svijet biljaka, Ledo, Intersport, Fotokeramika, Via Ing, Kon – 2K5, Product Imex; restoranima Oaza i Gardelin; plesnim grupama: Balun iz Vodnjana, Rondo i Pirueta iz Pule, te TZ Pula i Savezu sportova Istarske Županije.

TENIS KLUB SMRIKVE

Kontakt: Miodrag Božović

Press: Rossana Matejčić – Miljević