News

14/05/10

Grega Kokalj - 13th Smrikva Bowl semifinalist - reached the finals of the Croatia Cup 2010 - under 12 - played in Cakovec (CROATIA)

I just received a news from Grega’s father that he reached the finals at Croatia Cup in Cakovec. After recently obtaining the victory of the 28th Stella Maris Cup – an important under 12 tournament played in Umag – it is his second important result in Croatia in only few months.

Grega’s road towards the victory of Croatia Cup – under12 – was the following:

1st round: Grega Kokalj – bye
2nd round: Grega Kokalj – Robert Gasparovic 6:2, 6:0
3rd round: Grega Kokalj – Ferenc Varosi 6:0, 6:0
Quarterfinals: Grega Kokalj – Luka Panic 6:4, 6:1
Semifinals: Grega Kokalj – Matthias Haim 6:4, 6:3
Finals: Grega Kokalj – Mate Vakusz 1:6, 2:6

There were several Smrikva Bowl players in the main draw who reached an important results such as: Luka Panic and Jakov Martinis – quarterfinals, and Karlo Boljat – semifinals.

Congratulations boys!

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.

14/05/10

Top Smrikva Bowl and "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl players on ATP, WTA, ITF, USTA and European under 14 and 16 ranking lists (update May 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 and his best double ranking was #370 in February 2009.

GIRLS
Natali Zuliani, 1st Smrikva Bowl 1996 winner, from Croatia, is not ranked player.

IN 1997 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM CROATIA

1997 – 2nd Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Zeljko Peric, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, from Croatia, is not ranked player.
Filip Kricka, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 runner up, from Croatia, is not ranked player.

GIRLS
Ivana Lisjak, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #211 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, is not ranked player.

GIRLS
Mateja Horvat, 3rd Smrikva Bowl 1998 winner, from Croatia, is not ranked player.

1999 – 4th Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Borko Mudronja, 4th Smrikva Bowl 1999 winner, from Croatia, is not ranked player.
Deni Zmak, 4th Smrikva Bowl 1999 runner up, from Croatia. Deni’s best ranking was #1023 on ATP list as of November 2009. 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 #603 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 is not ranked.

GIRLS
Tereza MRDEZA, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, from Croatia, is currently ranked #312 on WTA list.

2001 – 6th Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Marin Draganja, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #1255 on ATP ranking list.
Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #997 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Petra MARTIC, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #66 on WTA list.
Indire Akiki, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #582 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 #612 on ATP list.
Giacomo Miccini, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Italy, was ranked #1436 on ATP list in May 2009.

GIRLS
Martina Caregaro, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Italy, is ranked #606 on WTA ranking list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #197 on WTA list.
Ema BURGIC, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #538 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 #31 on ITF ranking list.
George MORGAN, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #48 on ITF ranking list.
Ciprian PORUMB, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Romenia, is ranked #248 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Jennifer Ren, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Great Britain, was ranked #954 on WTA list.
Silvia NJIRIC, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Croatia, is currently not ranked on WTA list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #197 on WTA list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Emmett EGGER, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #123 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 #1317 on ITF ranking list.
Miki JANKOVIC, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #95 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #90 on ITF ranking list.
Ecaterina Opriou, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Romenia, is not ranked on ITF ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Mitchel POLNET, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #710 on ITF ranking list.

Blair SHANKLE, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #242 on ITF ranking list.
Anna MAMALAT, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #794 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 #536 on ITF ranking list and *#59 in Europe in under 16 ranking list*.
Laslo DJERE, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #9 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Gianluigi QUINZI, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Italy, is ranked #883 on ITF ranking list and *#12 in Europe in under 16 ranking list* and *#1 in Europe in under 14 ranking list*.
Nikola MILOJEVIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation tournament winner, from Serbia, is ranked #403 on ITF ranking list and *#30 in Europe in under 16 ranking list*.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #90 on ITF ranking list.
Olga IANCHUK, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Ukraine, is ranked #91 on ITF ranking list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Jeffrey Schorsch, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #803 in the USA in under 16 cathegory.
Jose GRACIA, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #356 in the USA in under 16 cathegory.
Yale GOLDBERG, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #365 in the USA in under 16 cathegory.

Dorothy Tang, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #415 in the USA in under 16 cathegory.

2006 – 11th Smrikva Bowl and 5th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Gianluigi QUINZI, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Italy, is ranked #883 on ITF ranking list and *#12 in Europe in under 16 ranking list* and *#1 in Europe in under 14 ranking list*.
Filip Kraljevic, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #143 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

GIRLS
Eleanor DEAN, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is ranked #11 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Dina PAOCIC, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #131 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Daniel Maese, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is not ranked in the USA in under 14 cathegory.
Aries Wong, played 5th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #116 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 #238 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 too young for under 14 european ranking.
Bogdan BORZA, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #47 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Gonzalo Morell, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Spain, is ranked #178 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Sergiu Bucur, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Romania, is ranked #415 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 #76 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Nina POTOCNIK, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Slovenia, is ranked #50 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Katie Dayson, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from UK, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Eduardo NAVA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #36 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Tommy PAUL, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #2 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Ndindi NDUNDA, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #4 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Domonique Garley, played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #106 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 too young for under 14 european ranking.
Maia Lumsden, 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 runner up, from Scotland, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Viktoria Kuzmova, ranked 3rd on 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008, from Slovakia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
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 #113 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
William Blumberg, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #96 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Ingrid NEEL, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #117 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Paulina Ferrari, played 7th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #201 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 #39 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Alex Gee, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #554 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.

Michaela GORDON, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #140 in the USA in under 12 cathegory.
Ashley LAHEY, played 8th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked *#148 in the USA in under 12 cathegory*.

11/05/10

Vladica Babic from Montenegro defeated in the finals of Kvarner Junior Open (under 16) Jasmina Stor from Slovenia, both girls played 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005

I received yesterday morning an e-mail from a very talented girl from Montenegro that played 10th Smrikva Bowl in 2005 – Vladica Babic.

Vladica asked me in her e-mail if I may know the name of the girl she played in the first round of her Smrikva Bowl. She wrote that she thinks that girl was Romanian and that probably she won the Smrikva Bowl Consolation Draw that year. I looked in the papers and found out that the name of the girl was Laura Enea and Laura actually won the Consolation Draw.

She told me in her e-mail that during her Smrikva Bowl that match with Laura was very hard match and few weeks ago she played again against Laura Enea in Novi Sad (Serbia). She wrote to me that in Novi Sad that was her best match she played during the whole tournament.

A week before Vladica Babic played Kvarner Junior Open under 16 Tournament in Rijeka (Croatia) and in the finals she defeated another Smrikva Bowl player from Slovenia – Jasmina Stor.

Jasmina Stor that morning trained in Smrikve with Elio Macan. Every summer Elio Macan trains Jasmina and every time Jasmina visit Pula she spend some time with Elio on Smrikve courts. Jasmina’s grandfather was one of the first Smrikve Tennis Courts players about 25 years ago.

Jasmina is another very talented Smrikva Bowl player from Maribor that in her carrier was also under 14 European Champion. I was glad to read from Vladica that they played the finals and I was glad to read that in doubles they won the tournament.

Vladica’s road towards the victory of KVARNER JUNIOR OPEN under 16 was the following:

1st round: Vladica Babic – bye
2nd round: Vladica Babic – Julie Sophie HERMANN (Ger) 6:1, 6:2
3rd round: Vladica Babic – Sara PALCIC (Slo) 6:1, 6:2
Quarterfinals: Vladica Babic – Marlies SZUPPER (Sui) 6:2, 6:4
Semifinals: Vladica Babic – Nora NIEDMERS (Ger) 6:3, 6:0
Finals: Vladica Babic – Jasmina STOR (Slo) 7:5, 6:1

Vladica’s road towards the victory of KVARNER JUNIOR OPEN under 16 was the following:

1st round: Jasmina Stor – Martina IEMMI (Ita) 6:0, 6:0
2nd round: Jasmina Stor – Alberta DETOGNI (Ita) 6:0, 6:2
3rd round: Jasmina Stor – Silvia BRGIC (Cro) 6:1, 6:1
Quarterfinals: Jasmina Stor – Elba KASUM (Aut) 6:3, 6:4
Semifinals: Jasmina Stor – Eva ZAGORAC (Slo) 6:3, 6:0
Finals: Jasmina Stor – Vladica BABIC (Mne) 5:7, 1:6

I was also glad to read that the winner of the boys draw of the KVARNER JUNIOR OPEN under 16 was another Smrikva Bowl player from Hungary – Andre Biro.

Congratulations: Vladica, Jasmina and Andre!

10/05/10

Slaven Ferencic and Mimi are the winners of the 3rd Smrikve Rekreacija 2010 Tournament

In 2009 we established the Spring and Autumn Smrikve Tennis Club Tournament for the recreational players and this weekend the Spring edition was played.

21 Smrikve Tennis Club members participated in this 3rd Smrikve Rekreacija 2010 Tournament. Over two days there were many nice and competitive matches of very similar level.

On Saturday we had grill day prepared by Dario and my mother and on Sunday we had “palenta” for lanch and grill for the dinner for the people that gathered to cheer in the finals.

The winner of the Main Draw was Slaven Ferencic “Del Potro” who defeated in the finals Bruno Klasta “Sampras”. It was a very nice and competitive final full of emontional moments.

It was almost two hours match with many nice points and the final result of 6:4, 6:4. Slaven is around 25 years old while Sampras is around 50 and although Maki was leading Sampras’ supporters team Slaven was just a little bit faster in the curcial moments. In end Sampras was fighting like a lion and saved several match balls but Slaven physical preparation made this small difference.

Slaven also had several of his friends that came to support him while Paskvalin from the older generation joined Slaven’s fun team just because he lost to Slaven. In end he was pleased when Slaven won the tournament because at the beginning he did not realize Slaven’s physical preparation.

In the Consolation Draw I played with my father and the final result was 9:7.

For me it was a very nice match. Patrik Chiavalon, the last year Consolation winner was my strategic and tactical coach :). Probably my dad could have played better but I tried to play my best yesterday.

For the first time we had personalized trophies made and sponsored by Alen Ostojic – Fotokeramika.

On the picture below you can see Slaven “Del Potro” receiving his trophy clock.

Thanks to each member who played over the weekend for the nice tournament and congratulations to the winners and finalist of this Spring edition!

03/05/10

Ana Konjuh - 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up - won the under 14 ETA tournament - Salona Cup

Ana Konjuh – 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up – just won the Salona Cup under 14 ETA tournament played in Solin – Dalmatia (Croatia).

Ana is 1997 age group thus a year younger compared to most of the other players in the tournament but since her Smrikva Bowl she showed her great talent. Currently she is the most talented player in her age group in Croatia and among the most talented World players.

On the picture below you can see Ana Konjuh during her Smrikva Bowl when she was 10 years old. Ana is the girl in the middle of the picture.

Ana Konjuh’s road towards the victory from the quarterfinals was the following:

Quarterfinals: Ana Konjuh – Ivona Erceg (Cro) 6:2, 6:1
Semifinals: Ana Konjuh – Ivona Aeudina (Cro) 7:5, 6:4
Finals: Ana Konjuh – Alice Rame (Fra) 6:2, 6:4

Congratulations Ana!

29/04/10

Saska Gavrilovska, Smrikva Bowl winner in 2004 and 2005, is currently ranked #92 on ITF ranking list

Saska Gavrilovska started to play tennis when she was 6 years old and very soon her talent emerged on her first tournaments she started to play. Supervised by her father she was able to reach extraordinary results very soon.

She won Smrikva Bowl twice: 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 and 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 edition, and she is still the only 9 years old Smrikva Bowl winner in the Smrikva Bowl history… and the only one to win twice our tournament.

SASKA GAVRILOVSKA AND HER SMRIKVA BOWL…

Saska Gavrilovska was a surprise in 2004 in the girls draw. It was the first time that a 9 years old player win Smrikva Bowl. She defeated in the finals Ecaterina Opriou from Romenia.

I did not have informations how good she was. She came from Vrsac (Vojvodina) in Serbia without being at all the favorite player. She started to play and game after game she was collecting victories.

In a very difficult situations she was playing better and better with smile on her face and I learn that she never give up. At the end she won 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 edition.

Few months after the victory she went to Nick Bollettieri Academy.
Next year Saska came again to play Smrikva and she won again. She smiled all the times and when she showed me the photos made in the US at the Academy I noted her with Smrikva Bowl t-shirt :).

SASKA AFTER SMRIKVA BOWL AND AFTER NICK BOLLETTIERI EXPERIENCE…

Saska spent almost 3 years at the Academy and during that experience she was under 10 and under 12 National Champion of Serbia. When she returned from the US she was crowned also under 14 and under 16 Champion in the same year.

She played very few ETA tournament but was able to go from the qualifications till the title of a strong tournament in Germany and in July 2009 she started to collect her first ITF points. In only 7 months she was among TOP 100 ITF – #83 ITF. Currently she holds #92 ITF ranking.

Saska is very talented, very fast and smart player with strong character and good attitude, a lot of potential and hopefully her game will continue to improve in the future.

Congratulations and best wishes Saska!

24/04/10

Nikola Milojevic - the winner of the 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation Draw, last year winner of Les Petit As and of the under 14 European Championship - in Tennis Video Magazin

Nikola Milojevic, 10th Smrikva Bowl winner of the Consolation Draw, last year in January won the 27th annual of Les Petit As – unofficial under 14 World Championship – traditionally played in Tarbes in France.

Later on he also won TACA International Maia Jovem played in Portugal, 20th edition of Citta’ di Livorno in Italy, Grade 1 tournament played Bolton and in end he was crowned the European under 14 Champion in Pilzen last year.

Since that extraordinary year he started to collect his first ITF points and currently he is ranked #451 on ITF ranking list.

A NICE INTERVIEW…

I found a nice interview that Nikola released last summer in August that I am pleased to share with the Smrikva Bowl comunity that can understand serbian language where he explains briefly how he started to practice tennis after trying to practice swimming and dance… he also explains why he plays well the finals… the books he likes to read… his first and current Wilson racket, the strings he likes… the time he dedicate to tennis every day… the music he listen… and also plans he had last year…

In end he comments about the importance of talent, will and coach…

NIKOLA MILOJEVIC BROKEN STRING ON HIS SMRIKVA BOWL…

I did not know till few years ago that actually Nikola had a problem with strings in the first round of his Smrikva Bowl and due to that situation he lost in the main tournament and played the Consolation tournament.

Nikola was two years ago in Smrikve and his tennis countinue to improve year after year. He continues to grow and I like his game and his personality thus I was pleased to share this video.

When Nikola visited Smrikve his father Tomo made a joke saying that maybe one day the Smrikva Bowl Consolation winner will add strength to the Smrikva Bowl story and actually Nikola after winning last year Tarbes, Livorno, Porto, Bolton, Pilzen and this year gaing points on ITF ranking list that he is writing with his game a beautiful page of the Smrikva Bowl story.

I noted already three years ago when he defeated some other top players that Nikola’s progress was outstanding.

Best wishes Nikola!

20/04/10

Petra Martic, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, is the best ranked Smrikva Bowl player on WTA list (#65 WTA) while Ajla Tomljanovic, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, reached this week her higher ranking position - #200 WTA

In 2001 we had both winners from Goran Ivanisevic’s home town Split. Actually Petra Martic is from Duc near Split and Marin Draganja is from Split.

Petra Martic is currently ranked #65 on WTA list and is the best ranked Smirkva Bowl player ever on WTA list.

I remeber her game in 2001 when she was 10 and her game could be defined as easy and clean. Every movement was so natural with no efforts. It is the way Federer and Sampras play tennis. When you look them it seems that everything is so easy. This was the way Petra played when she played Smrikva Bowl.

Last summer I was in Portoroz watching Slovenia Open and also Petra Martic was playing that tournament. During the launch time, Petra was at the same restaurnat we were thus I had the opportunity to say hello to her. At the time she was ranked #151 WTA and my hope was for her to reach the top 100 and beat the 0% statistics of top under 10 players entering the top 100 in the professional tennis :). She did it and I keep crossing finghers for her further improvement.

There is another girl that is following Petra’s steps in her ranking improvment and she’s name is Ajla Tomljanovic.

Ajla played Smrikva Bowl twice. She was runner up when she was 9 years old in 2002 and she ranked 3rd when she was 10 in 2003. This week she reached her best WTA ranking and she is currently #200 WTA.

Several years ago Ajla moved with her family to the USA and last year she won the doubles of Junior Australian Open. Goran Prpic three years ago said for her that in two years time he would like to see her competing on Senior Roland Garros. Probably this summer this could become reality.

Ajla Tomljanovic and Ema Burgic formed the first Smrikva Bowl team that established the “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl competition. They crossed the Ocean in October 2002 to play the 1st “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl that was played in Austin (Texas).

First two years “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl was played in Texas and from thrid edition was always played in Smrikve. The 9th annual will be played this summer on 27th of June.

Congratulation girls and keep crossing finghers for you both entering soon the Top 50!

16/04/10

Alvaro Regalado's letter describing his week at Mouratoglou Tennis Academy

This morning I received the letter from Alvaro Regalado, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winner, that last week had the opportunity to train at Mouratoglou Tennis Academy (MTA) in Paris.

Smrikva Bowl winners are awarded with a training week at Mouratoglou Tennis Academy which is considered one of the top tennis academies in the World.

I am pleased to share Alvaro’s words in Spanish with Smrikva Bowl community that can understand it.

Hola Mio!!!

¿Que tal?

La semana en la academia fue muy divertida pero muy dura porque entrenábamos 4 horas de tenis y 1 de físico.

Primero nos presentaron a todos los entrenadores y tenías que decir de donde eres, a que edad empezaste a jugar al tenis,etc. A mi me dió mucha verguenza porque habia que decirlo en inglés y aunque se un poco delante de todos me daba un poco de verguenza….

El primer día de entrenamiento nos dividieron en grupos y a mi me tocó con Arturo(Mexico), Arthur(Látvia) y una chica Melanie(Luxemburgo). Los entrenamientos de físico fueron muy duros porque era ejercicio,30 segundos y otro ejercicio y otro ejercicio. Entonces…....era muy duro….. La comida aunque no era como la de mi madre estaba buena.

Como siempre estaba muy cansado estaba todo el dia comiendo chocolate. Ademas la gente que trabajaba en el comedor eran todos muy simpáticos. En la cocina habia una señora que se llamaba Sandrin que era muy simpática y siempre me dejaba comer mas si yo queria.

Uno de los dias nos dejaron ir a la piscina con agua caliente y nos lo pasamos muy bien.

Una pregunta un poco tonta pero…...¿Puedes hacer un Smrikva Bowl en alevin e infantil para el próximo año? siempre lo pienso y le pregunto a mi padre porqué Mio no hace el torneo también para alevines e infantiles.

Bueno saludos a tu madre, y a todos los de allí. Me acuerdo siempre mucho de la semana que pasé en Pula.

Gracias.

Alvaro

14/04/10

A nice article about Gianluigi Quinzi - 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner - currently ranked #1 in Europe under 14

This morning I received the news from Milan that a big article was published by one of the most important Italian national newspapers “La Repubblica” about Gianluigi Quinzi.

Gianluigi Quinzi is one of the most talented players in the World in his age group and I was pleased to read the story his parents Luca and Carlotta decided to share with the readers of “La Repubblica”.

Gianluigi Quinzi played few times Smrikva Bowl and he ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 and was the winner of the 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 edition.

Currently Gianluigi is ranked #1 in Europe in under 14 age group; is ranked #9 in Europe in under 16 age group; is ranked #3 in college recruiting USA and is ranked #858 on ITF ranking list.

Here below is a video when Gianluigi was 11 years old. Today is 14 and over the last 3 months he grew up by 15 centimeters and reached 181 centimeters thus is not any more a kid I remember :).

In the article the family describe their decision to move the Bollettieri Academy and they explain a little bit more about Gianluigi.

I have very nice memories of Gianluigi and Quinzi family: Luca, Carlotta, Gianluigi’s brother Gianluca, his grandparents, and for those who understand Italian I am pleased to share it with Smrikva Bowl community.

QUINZI, IL BAMBINO EMIGRATO
“IL MIO SOGNO CON BOLLETTIERI”

Dalle Marche alla Florida per diventare una star del tennis. Aveva 7 anni e fu scoperto dal coach del circolo locale Ora ne ha 14 ed è n. 1 d’Europa. Mamma Carlotta lo ha seguito: “Ma se dice parolacce o spacca racchette si torna a casa”

di PAOLO ROSSI

ROMA – Il destino può avere la forma di un vecchio maestro di tennis. “Signori, Gianluigi ha “qualcosa”” pronunciò nel 2003 Antonio Di Paolo, navigato uomo di campo del circolo di Porto San Giorgio, provincia di Fermo, Marche. Di fronte a lui una giovane coppia, i coniugi Quinzi. Sorpresi: loro figlio il nuovo Pietrangeli-Panatta? Il coach sapeva quel che diceva: da mesi vedeva quel bimbetto di quasi 7 anni gironzolare sul campo a raccogliere palline, ne aveva intuito un interesse per dritti e rovesci. Un paio di lezioni e nessun dubbio sulla valutazione: un diamante allo stato grezzo. “È un fenomeno. Vede prima la palla. Non so, portatelo in giro, sentite la federazione”.

Luca e Carlotta, i signori Quinzi, ne discussero a casa, travolti da quello che il fato sembrava avergli riservato. Lui aveva imbracciato da giovane la racchetta, proprio in quel circolo di cui il papà era stato presidente; lei nazionale di pallamano. Così la decisione prese una piega clamorosamente diversa. “Il tennis è uno sport internazionale. Fosse vero quel che ci ha detto il maestro, dovremo fare dei sacrifici, ma ne deve davvero valere la pena. Vogliamo un parere? Andiamo all’estero”. E biglietto aereo prenotato per Bradenton, Florida. Destinazione Bollettieri Academy. Il più famoso dei college di tennis, dove sono stati forgiati Agassi e Kournikova, Sharapova, le sorelle Williams, la Seles. Dove sono passati Becker e Sampras. Perfino Borg. Sembrava un gioco, o un sogno, fino a quando il piccolo Gianluigi non incantò il vecchio e scafato Nick. La prima leggenda, il primo aneddoto di questa storia: Bollettieri che nota il giovane Quinzi a cinque campi di distanza. “Portatemi quel ragazzo laggiù” ordina ai suoi scagnozzi e il piccoletto si ritrova davanti al “papa”. Senza timori reverenziali lo conquista con i suoi colpi mancini. Borsa di studio, niente retta e foresteria da pagare: status da privilegiato, altro che recluta.

È il momento del non ritorno. Sono tante le famiglie del tennis italiano che pensano di avere in casa il salvatore azzurro. La decisione è delicata. I Quinzi decidono di continuare la partita. C’è da trasferirsi in Florida? Sarà mamma Carlotta a prendere armi e bagagli, portandosi dietro anche Gianluca, il fratellino minore. Papà Luca supervisionerà dall’Italia. Da buon ingegnere edile investirà sul mattone Usa, approfittando della crisi economica. “Non potevamo tirarci indietro”. Economicamente parlando non è proprio un salto nel vuoto, grazie a un paio di sponsor che annusano l’aria e decidono di puntare sul piccolo italiano.

È in Florida che Quinzi jr scopre di essere un cittadino del mondo, nel traffico di un melting pot asiatico, americano ed europeo. Soprattutto dell’Est, i talenti prediletti da Bollettieri per la loro “fame”. “Ho fatto molte amicizie, in particolare orientali” confessa Gianluigi, innamorato pazzo del sushi e non solo. “Ormai passo per quello curioso, che fa mille domande su ogni cosa”. In Italia la notizia della sua avventura a stelle e strisce comincia a diffondersi, tra invidie e incomprensioni. Tanti gli juniores bruciati, così i Quinzi comprendono il pericolo e alzano le barricate. “Gli sono tutti intorno”. Un fatto quasi inconcepibile per chi vede i big del tennis a Bradenton comportarsi come l’ultima matricola del gruppo. “È davvero tutta un’altra cultura sportiva. Come finirà? Boh, intanto ho imparato l’inglese. O meglio, lo slang…” scherza l’ex piccolo marchigiano. Perché oggi Gianluigi avrà ancora 14 anni (è del ‘96), ma è già alto uno e 81. Negli ultimi tre mesi è cresciuto di 15 centimetri, evento che ne ha modificato fisico e allenamenti. Finora i risultati sono stati in linea con le aspettative. È numero 1 del ranking Eta, la federazione europea. Soprattutto è il 3 della classifica “college recruiting Usa”.

I college, ecco il grande dubbio che arrovella la famiglia. Il futuro, la scuola. “Ci stiamo sbattendo a destra e sinistra, ma per cosa? Tutto potrebbe cambiare con un infortunio o una crisi di rigetto” spiega Carlotta. “Non viviamo di tennis. Gianluigi potrebbe un giorno lavorare col papà, lo studio è fondamentale. Dovrà completare l’educazione”. Per questo a Bradenton si allena di mattina, poi va a scuola. Pranzo, pomeriggio con i compiti “italiani” e la mamma-tutor, un programma concordato con il liceo scientifico Da Vinci di Porto San Giorgio. “Gli unici a comprenderci: bisognava vedere la soddisfazione di mio figlio dopo un 9 in matematica. È stata dura trovare una scuola così”. Non c’è l’ossessione, come accaduto in altri casi (Dokic, Capriati). I Quinzi – nel rapporto genitori-figli – sono severi, ma per motivi opposti: “Se Gianluigi vuole giocare a tennis, deve comportarsi bene, non dire parolacce in campo o rompere racchette. Altrimenti si torna a casa”. È una storia in progress. Non è noto il finale di questo anomalo caso di made in Italy da esportazione. Ma se Quinzi riuscirà, farà un favore anche a quel vecchio talent scout con le Ray Ban perennemente sul naso. Bollettieri finalmente potrà zittire i suoi amici di Capri, quelli che da anni, ogni estate, gli dicono che fa vincere tutti e mai noi italiani.
(14 aprile 2010)

13/04/10

Alvaro Regalado - 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winner - trained last week at Mouratoglou Tennis Academy and yesterday he turned 11 - Happy Birthday Alvaro!!!

I just received a letter from Miguel Regalado, the father of Alvaro, 14th Smrikva Bowl 2009 winner, that thanks to the Smrikva Bowl victory had the opportunity to train for a week at Mouratoglou Tennis Academy (MTA) in Paris.

Miguel and Alvaro spent last week living as tennis professionals at MTA.

One of the very prestigious Smrikva Bowl prizes for the winners is the training week at Mouratoglou Tennis Academy. MTA is considered one of the top tennis academies in the World and Alvaro Regalado just returned to Spain from France and sent me some photos that I am pleased to share with Smrikva Bowl community.

Yesterday Alvaro turned 11 and I would like to dedicate this Mouratoglou experience as his birthday gift although he earned this gift with his last year Smrikva Bowl victory.

Miguel sent me a short overview of their experience and I am pleased to post part of his letter in Spanish where he congratulate the professionality of the trainers and the way his son and him self were treated in the Academy.

Alvaro had the opportunity to meet some professionals such as Rezai Aravane and Grigor Dimitrov and to live and train for a week like a professional tennis player…

For those who understand Spanish I am posting extracts of Miguel’s letter and in the following days I expect to receive Alvaro’s personal comments.

Hola Mio!...

Hemos pasado una semana muy bonita y Alvaro ha tenido una experiencia inolvidable sobre todo a sus 10 años. Ayer cumplió 11 años.

Toda la gente se portado fenomenal y los entrenadores han estado muy atentos.

Tenisticamente hablando Alvaro ha tenido la oportunidad de ver como se entrena a nivel profesional y vivir como viven los profesionales. Alvaro tuvo la oportunidad de hacerse algunas fotos con jugadores como Dimitrov o la francesa Rezai Aravane.

Ha entrenado 4 horas de tenis y una de físico. Le ha encantado sobre todo el tema del físico. Terminaba el dia y Alvaro estaba cansado pero motivado por empezar el dia siguiente.

Lo más importante ha sido que Alvaro ha tenido una experiencia a nivel humano increible y no lo olvidará nunca.

Gracias una vez más a la Smirkva Bowl…

Un abrazo,

Miguel

Best wishes to Alvaro and Happy Birthday with one day delay!

13/04/10

Top Smrikva Bowl and "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl players on ATP, WTA, ITF, USTA and European under 14 and 16 ranking lists (update April 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 and his best double ranking was #370 in February 2009.

GIRLS
Natali Zuliani, 1st Smrikva Bowl 1996 winner, from Croatia, is not ranked player.

IN 1997 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM CROATIA

1997 – 2nd Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Zeljko Peric, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, from Croatia, is not ranked player.
Filip Kricka, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 runner up, from Croatia, is not ranked player.

GIRLS
Ivana Lisjak, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #213 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, is not ranked player.

GIRLS
Mateja Horvat, 3rd Smrikva Bowl 1998 winner, from Croatia, is not ranked player.

1999 – 4th Smrikva Bowl

GIRLS
Astrid Besser, 4th Smrikva Bowl 1999 winner, from Italy, is ranked #599 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 is not ranked.

GIRLS
Tereza MRDEZA, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, from Croatia, is currently ranked #288 on WTA list.

2001 – 6th Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Marin Draganja, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #1265 on ATP ranking list.
Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #1004 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Petra MARTIC, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #63 on WTA list.
Indire Akiki, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #624 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 #618 on ATP list.
Giacomo Miccini, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Italy, was ranked #1435 on ATP list in May 2009.

GIRLS
Martina Caregaro, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Italy, is ranked #740 on WTA ranking list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #207 on WTA list.
Ema BURGIC, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #643 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 #32 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 #210 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Jennifer Ren, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Great Britain, was ranked #961 on WTA list.
Silvia NJIRIC, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #900 on WTA list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #207 on WTA list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Emmett EGGER, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #160 on ITF ranking list.
Robert Stineman, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #154 in the USA in under 18 cathegory.

Karen Forman, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #698 in the USA in under 18 cathegory.
Katie Klyczek, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, and is ranked #200 in the USA in under 18 cathegory.

2004 – 9th Smrikva Bowl and 3rd”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Ivan Levar, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #1284 on ITF ranking list.
Miki JANKOVIC, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #171 on ITF ranking list and *#1 in Europe in under 16 ranking list*.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #95 on ITF ranking list.
Ecaterina Opriou, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Romenia.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Mitchel POLNET, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #749 on ITF ranking list.

Blair SHANKLE, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #244 on ITF ranking list.
Anna MAMALAT, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #784 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 #561 on ITF ranking list and *#19 in Europe in under 16 ranking list*.
Gyore Laszlo, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #16 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Gianluigi QUINZI, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Italy, is ranked #858 on ITF ranking list and *#9 in Europe in under 16 ranking list*.
Nikola MILOJEVIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation tournament winner, from Serbia, is ranked #448 on ITF ranking list and *#12 in Europe in under 16 ranking list*.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #95 on ITF ranking list.
Olga IANCHUK, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Ukraine, is ranked #100 on ITF ranking list.

Dorothy Tang, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #415 in the USA in under 16 cathegory.

2006 – 11th Smrikva Bowl and 5th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Gianluigi QUINZI, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Italy, is ranked #858 on ITF ranking list and *#9 in Europe in under 16 ranking list*.
Filip Kraljevic, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #155 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

GIRLS
Eleanor DEAN, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is ranked #8 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Dina PAOCIC, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #85 in Europe 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 too young for under 14 european ranking.
Bogdan BORZA, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #66 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Gonzalo Morell, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Spain, is ranked #198 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Sergiu Bucur, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Romania, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

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 #77 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Nina POTOCNIK, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Slovenia, is ranked #55 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Katie Dayson, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from UK, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

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

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

09/04/10

Petra Martic, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, reached this week her higher ranking position on WTA lsit - #64 WTA. Other tennis talents are growing up in the Region.

19 years old Petra Martic is currently the best ranked Smrikva Bowl player on the WTA list. After her 3rd round in Miami she jumped to her ranking to the position #64 WTA.

Another rising star Ajla Tomljanovic, 16 years old, runner up on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 and 3rd ranked on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, last week reached the finals of an USD 25.000 ITF Challenger played in the US. Ajla is currently ranked #229 WTA and on Monday we can expect her ranking to improve furhter.

There are several talents growing up in the area and last week some of them were in Istria for a weekly workout.

A TENNIS MORNING IN ROVINJ

Last week I was invited by Vlado Babic to spend a morning in a camping site nearby Rovinj where the most talented boys and girls from Zagreb Tennis Academy run by Mr Andrej Tonejc spent a week of training.

There were using four courts nearby the sea in a lovelly place. I came to see Zvonimir Babic who was playing a match with a boy living in Germany and for me ended up to be an oportunity to see several other kids that played Smrikva Bowl some years ago and to see how they grew up.

The training I started watching was run by Goran Prpic’s brother and Zvonimir’s trainer.

On one court was Zvonimir playing the match and on the nearby court Filip Veger, Ivan Divkovic and few other boys where executing most different types of games the coaches requested them to execute.

Some of these kids I have not seen for five years and I was pleased to see how they developed and I was really impressed with the energy they were puting in their trainig and also fun they had doing various excercise that their trainers requested them to perform.

I noted a kid with a Smrikva Bowl t-shirt in a younger group on the uper courts and Vlado told me that this was a son of Mr Andrej Tonejc. Two of Tonejc’s sons played Smrikva Bowl and we made a short visit to this younger group where Mr Andrej Tonejc pointed out in the group few other Smrikva Bowl players such as Alek Gracin and the younger Divkovic brother.

I was very pleased to see that almost half of the kids that were in the Academy program played Smrikva Bowl and they are all still in tennis.

During the same week also Tine Pufic and *ŽTK Maribor* tennis school choose a tennis center in Istria to bring their talents to spend a similar preparation week.

They were in Umag and few tennis talents that will play this year Smrikva Bowl were training in Umag. For few of them I am sure they were in the program such as Anja Gal and Matic Podlipnik because Anja’s mother visited Smrikve and brought me Tine’s greetings.

Thanks to all the above mentioned professionals and kids for growing tennis in the Region!

04/04/10

The confirmation e-mails have been sent to all the 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 candidates.

All the candidates that have indicated the correct e-mail adress in their application forms should have received the confirmation e-mail of their acceptance or impossibility to invite them to play.

We accepted 18 players above our limit, thus there will be no waiting list.

The players that have not received any confirmation e-mail and have sent the application form please inform Smrikve Tennis Club via e-mail by writing to: [email protected].

31/03/10

The possibility to candidate players for the 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 edition have been Closed yesterday - 30th of March 2010. The candidates that have applied please read the following

Smrikva Bowl is traditionally limited to approximatelly 100 players, of which 4 places are reserved for the top US players that compete after the Smrikva Bowl finals in the “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl competition.

For the 15th Smrikva Bowl 2010 we have received applications that exceed the number of places available.

The candidates are from 30 countries. There are eight new countries that might be represented for the first time at the Smrikva Bowl: Belgium, Dubai, Israel, Lebanon, Malta, Peru, Saudi Arabia and Sweden.

As indicated in the application instructions top players from each country will be preferred. In addition, the preference will have players born in year 2000.

All the candidates will receive the confirmation e-mail of their acceptance or impossibility to invite them to play before April 5th, 2010.

The players that do not receive any information e-mail by the 5th of April please inform via e-mail the Smrikve Tennis Club: [email protected]

26/03/10

Petra Martic, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, reached the third round of Miami - USD 4.500.000 worth tournament

Petra Martic, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, is the best ranked former Smrikva Bowl player on WTA list and is the best Croatian tennis player on WTA list.

Petra is currently ranked #74 on WTA list and this week she played USD 4.500.000 worth tournament in Miami. She lost in the third round against Yanina Wickmayer from Belgium currently ranked #14 WTA.

Petra Martic road to the third round was the following:
1st round: Petra Martic – Julie Coin (Fra) 5:7, 7:6, 6:3
2nd round: Petra Martic – Aravane Rezai (Fra) 7:5, 5:7, 6:4
3rd round: Petra Martic – Yanina Wickmayer (Bel) 3:6, 3:6

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

Julie Coin (Fra) – # 82 WTA list
Aravane Rezai (Fra) – # 21 WTA list
Yanina Wickmayer (Bel) – # 14 WTA list

Petra made a great result by defeating Aravane Rezai ranked #21 WTA thus we can expect further progress in Petra’s game. With this result she will further improve her ranking.

Congratulations Petra!

26/03/10

Grega Kokalj - 13th Smrikva Bowl semifinalist - and Neli Sunjic - 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 player - won 28th Stella Maris Cup in Umag

I just received a news from Grega’s father Rajko that Grega won 28th Stella Maris Cup – an important under 12 tournament played in Umag that was played last week end.

Another Smirkva Bowl player, Neli Sunjic from Split, won the girls draw.

Grega’s road towards the victory of 28th Stella Maris Cup was the following:

1st round: Grega Kokalj – Roko Savin (Cro) 6:0, 6:1
2nd round: Grega Kokalj – Borna Cilic Kraljevic (Cro) w.o.
Quarterfinals: Grega Kokalj – Borna Gojo (Cro) 6:1, 6:1
Semifinals: Grega Kokalj – Nikola Mihaljevic (Cro) 6:2, 5:7, 6:1
Finals: Grega Kokalj – Karlo Boljat (Cro) 6:4, 6:3

There were several Smrikva Bowl players in the main draw such as Karlo Boljat who played the finals, and Jakov Martinis and Zvonimir Oreskovic who reached the quarterfinals.

In the girls draw Neli’s road towards the victory of 28th Stella Maris Cup was the following:

1st round: Neli Sunjic – bye
2nd round: Neli Sunjic – Dea Lako (Cro) 7:5, 6:4
Quarterfinals: Neli Sunjic – Nika Besker (Cro) 6:4, 6:4
Semifinals: Neli Sunjic – Tea Jezidzic (Cro) 6:2, 7:6
Finals: Neli Sunjic – Dea Stimac (Cro) 6:0, 2:0 ret.

Congratulations to Grega and Neli!

25/03/10

Vinicius Nogueira from Brazil won two strongest Junior tournaments in South America in his age group

I just received a news from Vinicius’ father Romildo that he was crowned the Champion, in his age group, in two of the strongest Junior tournaments in South America, The Banana Bowl and The Gerdau Cup. They are both played in Brazil, the first one is held in Blumenau SC and the second in Porto Alegre RS.

Vinicius Nogueira is born in year 2000 and was the first player from Brazil that played Smrikva Bowl. He played last year Smrikva Bowl and has applied to play also this year edition.

Here are the pictures taken after the victories of Banana Bowl and Gerdau Cup.

Congratulations Vinicius!

20/03/10

Kinder Smrikve School started today

Today Tara, Stefan, Chiara, Diego, Lucija, Marika, Mauro and Noel experienced their first tennis lesson with Mimi and Tomo.

Tennis is a lifetime sport from which all age groups find personal enjoyment, opportunities to mix with others socially, as well as the health benefits of vigorous exercise.

Miodrag Bozovic and Tomislav Bozovic, both PTR Certefied Teachers, use Munchkin tennis methods in organizing lessons for this age group of kids.

Munchkin tennis coaching is designed for children between the ages of four to ten. 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.

The Smrikve coaching model is designed with aim to introduce young children to the joys of playing tennis and to encourage them to fall in love with the game.

13/03/10

Top Smrikva Bowl and "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl players on ATP, WTA, ITF, USTA and European under 14 and 16 ranking lists (update March 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 and his best double ranking was #370 in February 2009.

GIRLS
Natali Zuliani, 1st Smrikva Bowl 1996 winner, from Croatia, is graduating in architecture.

IN 1997 SMRIKVA BOWL GATHERED TOP PLAYERS FROM CROATIA

1997 – 2nd Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Zeljko Peric, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, from Croatia, is not ranked player.
Filip Kricka, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 runner up, from Croatia, is not ranked player.

GIRLS
Ivana Lisjak, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #215 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, is not ranked player.

GIRLS
Mateja Horvat, 3rd Smrikva Bowl 1998 winner, from Croatia, is not ranked player. Her best ranking was around #800 on WTA list.

1999 – 4th Smrikva Bowl

GIRLS
Astrid Besser, 4th Smrikva Bowl 1999 winner, from Italy, is ranked #566 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 is not ranked.

GIRLS
Tereza MRDEZA, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, from Croatia, is currently ranked #284 on WTA list.

2001 – 6th Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Marin Draganja, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #1765 on ATP ranking list.
Dino Marcan, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #1001 on ATP ranking list.

GIRLS
Petra MARTIC, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #75 on WTA list.
Indire Akiki, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #637 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 #692 on ATP list.
Giacomo Miccini, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Italy, was ranked #1395 on ATP list in May 2009.

GIRLS
Martina Caregaro, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Italy, is ranked #906 on WTA ranking list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #224 on WTA list.
Ema BURGIC, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #650 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 #34 on ITF ranking list.
George MORGAN, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #44 on ITF ranking list.
Ciprian PORUMB, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Romenia, is ranked #205 on ITF ranking list.

GIRLS
Jennifer Ren, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Great Britain, was ranked #962 on WTA list.
Silvia NJIRIC, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #896 on WTA list.
Ajla TOMLJANOVIC, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #224 on WTA list.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Emmett EGGER, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #150 on ITF ranking list.
Robert Stineman, played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #154 in the USA in under 18 cathegory.

2004 – 9th Smrikva Bowl and 3rd”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Ivan Levar, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #1235 on ITF ranking list.
Miki JANKOVIC, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #221 on ITF ranking list and *#1 in Europe in under 16 ranking list*.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #89 on ITF ranking list.
Ecaterina Opriou, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Romenia.

“Little Mo” TEAM
Mitchel POLNET, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #862 on ITF ranking list.

Blair SHANKLE, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #288 on ITF ranking list.
Anna MAMALAT, played 3rd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #766 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 #24 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Gyore Laszlo, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #15 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Gianluigi QUINZI, ranked 3rd on 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005, from Italy, is ranked #830 on ITF ranking list and #10 in Europe in under 16 cathegory and *#1 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Nikola MILOJEVIC, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 Consolation tournament winner, from Serbia, is ranked #417 on ITF ranking list and #4 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.

GIRLS
Saska GAVRILOVSKA, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #89 on ITF ranking list.
Olga IANCHUK, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Ukraine, is ranked #91 on ITF ranking list.

Dorothy Tang, played 4th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl, from the USA, is ranked #415 in the USA in under 16 cathegory.

2006 – 11th Smrikva Bowl and 5th”Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl

BOYS
Gianluigi QUINZI, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Italy, is ranked #830 on ITF ranking list and #10 in Europe in under 16 cathegory (#1 in Europe in under 14 cathegory).
Filip Kraljevic, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #139 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

GIRLS
Eleanor DEAN, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is ranked #7 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Dina PAOCIC, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #77 in Europe 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 too young for under 14 european ranking.
Bogdan BORZA, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Romania, is ranked #54 in Europe in under 14 cathegory*.
Gonzalo Morell, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Spain, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Sergiu Bucur, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Romania, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

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 #67 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Nina POTOCNIK, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Slovenia, is ranked #91 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Katie Dayson, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from UK, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

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

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