News

17/10/07

Very nice article about Virginia Pena, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 winner, on www.elmundo-eldia.com

Virgina Pena won 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 and last year she ranked third during the 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006. This result is the second best result in the Smrikva Bowl history. It is second only to Saska Gavrilovska result when Saska won two editions in a row: 2004 and 2005. Gigi is really talented and strong. In Smrikva Bowl Guest Book Virigina signed herself as Gigi. I read that many spanish funs call her Vivi. Virginia will have to decide if she will be Vivi or Gigi for the funs :). I will use the nickname she used in our Guest Book until she decide ;).

Anyway… Jofre Porta was with Gigi and her family in Smrikve during the last year Smrikva Bowl and Jofre in his career trained players like Carlos Moya and Rafael Nadal. This year Gigi was in Smrikve with a coach from Romenia. She, her parents and her coach are all very nice people. I have to recall that this year Gigi won the Mountain Bike on the Smrikva Bowl and after few rounds on the court with the bike she decided to give it as a gift to she’s new friend Ariana Rabac from Pula. It is always complicated to take the bike home from the winners that are coming from far away and Gigi decided to give it as a gift. This was very nice from Gigi’s side.

I enjoyed reading the article and also Smrikva Bowl is mentioned as one of the most important under 10 tennis tournament in the World played in Pula. I’ve seen in the article that she is currently trained by a coach from serbia Niko Paunovic… In the article is also said that Gigi won one point to Carlos Moya :)... Good luck Gigi and for the readers (who understand spanish) enjoy the article made by Roberto Diez Yague…

If you are interesting to see Virginia’s photos you can find them in the 12th Smrikva Bowl Photo Gallery on our internet site www.smrikve.com… you can also see a short interview with her in the 12th Smrikva Bowl Video…

POLIDEPORTIVO / Las promesas del deporte balear
http://www.elmundo-eldia.com/2007/10…191189627.html
Sonrisa angelical, mirada competitiva
VIRGINIA PEÑA
Tenista

ROBERTO DÍEZ YAGÜE

PALMA.- Luce una sonrisa angelical pero sus ojos no engañan. La mirada de Virginia Peña (Alicante, 1997) destila competición y picardía. No hay más que ver cómo sale la pelota, escopetada, como un obús. Primero suena el golpetazo de la raqueta. Después un ligero gemido. ¡Cómo le pega la muchacha! «Le apasiona jugar al tenis», señalan sus padres. Por eso se mueve incómoda en la silla y regresa corriendo en cuanto puede a la pista para seguir castigando a la pequeña pelota amarilla.

Los inicios de Virginia no fueron, sin embargo, nada originales. La pequeña de una extensa prole que ya practicaba el tenis vio jugar a los hermanos y cogió la raqueta a los cinco años. «Me gustaba mucho. Y me gusta», asegura sonriente. Desde entonces, la progresión no ha cesado y no parece que tenga que frenarse. «Técnicamente está muy madura, como las niñas de 16 años», explican sus padres. Ellos son los únicos y exclusivos mecenas de Virginia. «Y nuestro dinero nos cuesta. Pero mientras podamos permitírnoslo lo seguiremos haciendo porque es mejor; te permite hacer lo que quieres», explica su padre.

Nike y Prince aportan todo el material deportivo, demostrando que las multinacionales están al tanto de las futuras estrellas casi desde que escalan los barrotes de la cuna. «Pero todo lo demás lo pagamos nosotros. Le han ofrecido ir a escuelas en Barcelona con todos los gastos pagados, pero prefiero que siga creciendo en casa», detalla Teresa, su madre, que suele acompañarla en todos los viajes junto con el entrenador de turno. Desde hace seis meses, el técnico serbio Niko Paunovic dirige los pasos de Virginia con al menos dos horas diarias de entrenamiento y subiendo…

Los resultados han ido cayendo como fruta madura. A los siete años ganó el Campeonato de Mallorca sub-10; a los ocho, el sub-12 y este año ha sido subcampeona de España alevín y ha ganado el Campeonato del Mundo oficioso sub-10, celebrado en junio en la localidad croata de Pula. Son sólo ejemplos de una progresión meteórica. «El año pasado íbamos a Barcelona a jugar por equipos con el Barcino, pero este hemos regresado a Mallorca y entrena en el Club Royal Tennis Academy, en la Costa de la Calma», detalla Teresa, que prefiere mantener a Virginia fuera de las obsesiones deportivas. «En el colegio ella tiene un círculo de amigos con los que no habla de tenis. Así que si el domingo pierde un partido, el lunes puede pasar página y desconectar. Eso es muy importante, porque hay niñas que viven sólo para el tenis», explica el padre de Virginia.

Los estudios marchan bien y el King Richard III College colabora con un plan flexible. «Menos mal que colabora, porque así puede viajar cuando es necesario», reconoce Teresa. Esto ha permitido a Virginia meterse de lleno en torneos ATP como Acapulco o Indian Wells junto a Flavia Pennetta, su ídolo, Rafa Nadal o Carlos Moyà, a quien ya ganó un punto. El año que viene disputará los torneos de Nike y los mejores internacionales en Francia, «pero siempre sin prisa, con tranquilidad», matiza su padre. «Si en sub-12 marcha bien, quién dice que no a sub-14, pero siempre sin agobios», añade. De momento, ya tiene una derecha matadora y un carácter ganador. «El técnico de ahora le ha inculcado un tenis como el del Djokovic, muy agresivo. Pero ella ya era muy competitiva, muy dura y se crece ante la adversidad», señala Teresa. Toni Nadal ya lo dijo cuando ella tenía dos años. «Esta chica promete».

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.

17/10/07

The Story of the "Little Mo". "Little Mo" is linked with Smrikva Bowl trough traditional "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl

15/10/07

Few nice words about Smrikva Bowl Video from Ovidiu Bodea - Honorary Smrikva Bowl Member

Ovidiu Bodea has been supporting Smrikva Bowl for a long time and is one of the first Honorary Smrikva Bowl Members. Every year he helps me to bring the best kids from Romenia to the Smrikva Bowl and Ciprian Porumb junior was one of the first players he sent me. Ciprian ranked 3rd during the 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 and currently he is ranked #1 in Europe in under 14 cathegory. Today he sent me some very nice words regarding 12th Smrikva Bowl Video that I am pleased to share with you.

Hello Mio,

This was an excellent idea!

I finally got to “meet” you and a part of the club, I’m really happy for this! The whole story around the olive tree it’s also very nice and hopefully the kids will keep in mind it’s message forever.

I promised myself – again! – that I have to make it, too to one of the future’s edition of the Bowl. Don’t know yet when, but it will happen. As a matter of fact I already was 2 times in Pula, unfortunately before I got to know you.

I suppose you too already thought at this, but I have to confess that I’m really anxiously looking forward to the day when the kids who played the earliest editions of the tournament will come back as idols of the new kids. Already the news you are continuously updating about them are showing the great quality of the tournament!

Best wishes, we’ll stay in touch!

Ovidiu

15/10/07

Interview with Ivan Sabatini about Smrikva Bowl for www.tennisteen.it and for Giacomo Miccini's Blog on www.giacomomiccini.com

11/10/07

12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 and 6th "Little Mo"/Smrikva Bowl video is now on line

From today, on our internet pages, there is a 7 minutes video about 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 and 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl.

The video is about Smrikva Bowl story and contains also short interviews with some of the most talented players we had this year. Video also shows the cerimony of the Olive Tree planting. In the interviews you will see Sacha Merzetti from Italy who won boys finals, and Virginia Pena from Spain who won the girls finals. There are also runner ups: Bogdan Borza from Romenia and Ana Konjuh from Croatia. In end there are the top players from “Little Mo” tournament: Eduardo Nava from California and Ndindi Ndunda that played 6th “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl.

Enjoy the video!

09/10/07

Ariana Rabac played the finals of the under 12 tournament in Opatija

Ariana Rabac is 11 years old tennis player that trains in the Smrikve Tennis Club. This year she started to play tournaments for points in Croatia and this weekend she arrived in the finals of under 12 tournament in Opatija. Ariana lost from Hana Bogadi, ranked #20 in under 12 cathegory in Croatia, 6:2, 6:2. Ariana is currently ranked #69.

In the first round Ariana won against Anja Bebic, ranked #21, 7:5, 6:4. In the second round Ariana won against Josipa Sakic, ranked #86, 6:1, 6:2. In the semifinals, that last 2 hours and 40 minutes, Ariana won against Mateja Zemunik, ranked #35, 7:5, 2:6, 6:1.

05/10/07

Petra Martic jumped other 38 places on WTA ranking list

Petra Martic, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, moved up other 38 places on WTA ranking list. She moved from ranking 440 to current 402 ranking. Petra is doing very well and could be probably in the near future the best ranked Smrikva Bowl player on WTA list. Petra Martic is 16 years old and is currently 2nd best ranked Smrikva Bowl winner.

Ivana Lisjak, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, is ranked 190 on WTA list (her best ranking was 95 in June 2006). Astrid Besser, 4th Smrikva Bowl 1999 winner, is ranked 508 (her best ranking was 457 in August 2007). Tereza Mrdeza, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, is ranked 750 on WTA list. Petra Martic, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, is ranked 402 on WTA list. Indire Akiki , 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, is ranked 574 on WTA list.

05/10/07

Ivan Perko is born this morning at 1:15 AM :)

Ivan Perko is the son of Tamara and Damir Perko and is born this morning. Tamara and Damir Perko have been the key people for the Smrikva Bowl execution for many years and many Smrikva Bowl players should remember them running the tournament. Last year Tamara had to stay at home because she was waiting Ivan, and Damir come for the third day of the tournament. It was not an easy task to start the tournament without Tamara and Damir.

Tamara was a very talented tennis player when she was younger and an injury forced her to choose another career. Damir started to play tennis not many years ago but is also a very good tennis player. Maybe Ivan will like tennis too :). Tamara and Damir work in the Investment Banking industry in Zagreb and continue to be our key people for the Smrikva Bowl.

Wellcome Ivan!

04/10/07

Giacomo Miccini and Bernard Tomic played against each other in the Junior Davis Cup in Italy

Giacomo Miccini and Bernard Tomic are probably the two top players in their age group in the World. Giacomo Miccini is from Italy and Bernard Tomic is from Australia. They both train at Nick Bollettieri’s Academy in Florida and recently they played each other in Italy during the Junior Davis Cup competition. The match was played in the Circolo Tennis Albinea and Tomic won 6-2, 5-7, 13-11. Bernard Tomic is born in 1992 and is currently ranked # 19 on ITF ranking list. Giacomo Miccini, was the 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, and is currently ranked # 89 on ITF ranking list. Giacomo had the support of the crowd but Bernard in end won the match and confirmed to be #1 player in the World (in 1992 age group) but Giacomo showed with this match that he is closer and closer to Bernard. ITF wrote that this match was one of the most compelling junior matches of the year.

Giacomo Miccini should receive few wild cards for the Futures tournaments in Mexico that he should play at the end of October and mid November.

Good luck Giacomo!

04/10/07

We started the collection of olives that will end up as bottles of oil for the 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 Ambassadors

We started to collect olives and started 2008 Smrikve oil production. In Smrikve we produce Istrian olive oil. During the Smrikva Bowl we use to give to every Smrikva Bowl Ambasador a bottle of oil as a memory to their Smrikva Bowl. In this days we started the process that will end with transforming the olives into oil for the 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 players and Ambassadors.

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

During the ceremony, every Ambassador put a tiny seedling of land close to the root of the Olive tree and said his or her name. This way the tree gets the names and a piece of soul of each Ambassador.

The Olive tree is a symbol of peace. The age of the tree is a symbol of intergenerational responsibility. Every person is born without knowing anything about life on this earth and it is the responsibility of every generation to understand and to learn to preserve all that each of us is born with, so as to possibly improve it prior to departing.

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

04/10/07

Argentina stopped Croatia before the semifinals in the Junior Davis Cup in Italy

The Croatian Junior Davis Cup team have not qualified to the semifinals that was played in Reggio Emilia, in Italy. Croatian Junior Davis Cup team was represented by Marin Draganja, Dino Marcan and Leonard Ivic. Marin Draganja and Dino Mracan played 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 and Marin was the winner of the 6th Smrikva Bowl while Dino was the runner up. The Croatian Junior Davis Cup lost the match against Czech Republic (2:1) but won against Japan (2:1). The fact that Croatia won against Japan gave to the Croatian team the right to play for the semifinals against Argentina but Argenting won 2:1.

The single results of the Group 4 were the following:
1.st Round
Czech Republic – Croatia 2-1
Marcan – Kozelsky 3:6, 2:6
Draganja – Urbanek 6:3, 3:6, 6:3
Draganja, Marcan – Urbanek, Kozelsky 7:6, 2:6, 4:6

Argentina – Japan 2-1

2.nd Round
Croatia – Japan 2-1
Ivić – Sekiguchi 2:6, 3:6
Draganja – Suzuki 6:2, 6:2
Marcan, Draganja – Suzuki, Endo 6:2, 6:4

Argentina – Czech Republic 3-0

3.rd Round
Argentina – Croatia 2-1
Marcan – Andreozzi 6:4, 3:6, 6:8
Draganja – Konfederak 6:3, 4:6, 6:4
Marcan, Draganja – Andreozzi, Konfederak 4:6, 1:6

26/09/07

Petra Martic lost in the 2nd round of USD 25000 ITF Challenger in Lecce - Italy

Petra Martic, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, lost in the 2nd round of USD 25000 ITF Challenger in Lecce against Alisa Klejbanova from Russia 6:4, 6:2. Alisa Kleybanova is ranked 184 on WTA list and she won the tournament in Lecce. Petra Martic is currently ranked 440 on WTA list and is one of the most talented Croatian players in her age group (1991).

24/09/07

Petra Martic jumped over 100 places on WTA ranking list

Petra Martic, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, moved over 100 places on WTA ranking list. She moved from ranking 555 to current 440 ranking. Petra Martic is born in 1991 and is one of the most talented Croatian players in her age group.

Last tournament Petra Martic played was in Sofia, in Bulgaria, on September 16th. It was a USD 25000 tournament. Petra lost in the semifinals against Danica Krstajic from Montenegro 6:4, 6:2. Danica Krstajic is currently ranked 252 on WTA list.

23/09/07

Top Smrikva Bowl players on ITF ranking list and European under 14 and 16 ranking lists

2002 – 7th Smrikva Bowl
Javier Marti, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Spain, is ranked #6 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Giaccomo Miccini, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Italy, is ranked #87 on ITF ranking list. In December 2006, Giacomo Miccini reached the semifinals of under 14 Junior Orange Bowl. Giacomo Miccini trains at Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Martina Caregaro, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, from Italy, is ranked #104 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Ajla Tomljanovic, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #341 on ITF ranking list. In December 2006, Ajla Tomljanovic reached the quarterfinals of under 14 Junior Orange Bowl. Ajla Tomljanovic recently moved with her family to the USA.
Ema Burgic, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #2 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.

2003 – 8th Smrikva Bowl
Dominic Thiem, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Austria, is ranked #65 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
George Morgan, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #13 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Ciprian Porumb, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Romenia, is ranked #1 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

Jennifer Ren, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Great Britain, is ranked #16 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Silvia Njiric, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #4 in Europe in under 14 cathegory and is ranked #3 in under 16 cathegory in Croatia.
Ajla Tomljanovic, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Croatia, is ranked #341 on ITF ranking list. In December 2006, Ajla Tomljanovic reached the quarterfinals of under 14 Junior Orange Bowl. Ajla Tomljanovic recently moved with her family to the USA.

2004 – 9th Smrikva Bowl
Ivan Levar, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #85 in Europe in under 14 cathegory and is ranked #2 in under 14 cathegory in Croatia. In December 2006, Ivan Levar reached the quarterfinals of under 12 Junior Orange Bowl.
Miki Jankovic, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #67 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

Saska Gavrilovska, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #791 in Europe in under 14 cathegory. Saska played most of the tournaments in the USA. In December 2006, Saska Gavrilovska reached the quarterfinals of under 12 Junior Orange Bowl being 11 years old.
Ecaterina Opriou, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 runner up, from Romenia, is ranked #163 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

2005 – 10th Smrikva Bowl
Matteo Donati, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Italy, is ranked #242 in Europe in under 14 cathegory and is #1 ranked player in Europe in 1995 age group. Only Gianluigi Quinzi, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, born in 1996, is better ranked than Matteo.
Gyore Laszlo, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #386 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

Saska Gavrilovska, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #791 in Europe in under 14 cathegory. Saska played most of the tournaments in the USA. In December 2006, Saska reached the quarterfinals of under 12 Junior Orange Bowl being 11 years old.
Olga Yanchuk, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Ukraine, is ranked #87 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

2006 – 11th Smrikva Bowl
Gianluigi Quinzi, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Italy, is ranked #159 in Europe in under 14 cathegory and is ranked #802 in under 16 cathegory. It is necessary to add that Gianluigi is only 11 years old and in this age group Gianluigi’s results are the best resutls in Tennis Europe’s history. With this ranking Gianluigi is the best ranked player in 1996 and 1995 age group although he is 1996 class. Great results Gianluigi!
Filip Kraljevic, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #9 in Croatia in under 12 cathegory.

Eleanor Dean, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Great Britain, is not ranked in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Dina Paocic, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is not ranked in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

2007 – 12th Smrikva Bowl
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 too young for under 14 european ranking.
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.

Virginia Pena, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 winner, from Spain, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Ana Konjuh, 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 runner up, from Croatia, is too young for under 14 european ranking, is ranked #16 in Croatia in under 12 cathegory.
Nina Potocnik, ranked 3rd on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from Slovenia, is too young for under 14 european ranking.
Katie Dayson, ranked 4th on 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007, from UK, is too young for under 14 european ranking.

20/09/07

Book dedicated to Smrikve:"Unione Europea e Democrazia Cosmopolita, un idea per la pace" is now on line

On the page http://www.smrikve.com/smrikva-bowl/book-dedicated-to-smrikve/ is available the original italian version of the book dedicated to Smrikve: “Unione Europea e Democrazia Cosmopolita, un idea per la pace”.

In 2005, 10 years after the Smrikva Bowl started, Smrikva Bowl already became a Global childrens’ tennis tournament and I completed the book: “European Union and Cosmopolitan Democracy, an idea for peace”. The book is a product of almost 15 years of studies and analysis. It contains my personal experience, economic studies, political science studies, and European Union’s integration studies.

In the book I describe how Cosmopolitan Democracy idea and the respect of some basic rules could contribute to avoid wars in the future. I decided to put the book on-line to make it available to all the people that are interested in the subject and is also a gift to the Smrikva Bowl players. The book is in line with the Smrikva Bowl idea of sharing cosmopolitan values and I dedicated it to Smrikve.

I use to say that children, sports and music are already part of the Cosmopolitan World. The book is not written for the children but children many times understand much better than the older the Cosmopolitan World. When they become older they will understand the book.

The book is written in italian and the english version will be probably on-line at the beginning of the next year. Patrizia Pellizzari is translating the book in english. She is Canadian and works on Bocconi University in Milan. Patrizia was this year for the first time on the Smrikva Bowl and is Honorary Smrikva Bowl Member. For the translation she’s been doing a great job and I hope that in the following years also the english version will be on line.

Download Unione Europea e Democrazia Cosmopolita

Miodrag Bozovic

18/09/07

Javier Marti ranked 2nd, Ema Burgic ranked 5th, Silvia Njiric ranked 3rd, and Cirpian Porumb ranked 4th on Tennis Europe Junior Masters in Orbetello - Italy

Javier Marti, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 winner, born in 1992, from Spain, lost in the finals of under 16 Tennis Europe Junior Masters in Orbetello (Italy) against Carlos Boluda, born in 1993, from Spain.

Ema Burgic, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, born in 1992, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, ranked 5th in under 16 cathegory of Tennis Europe Junior Masters in Orbetello (Italy).

Silvia Njiric, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, born in 1993, from Croatia, lost in the semifinals of under 14 Tennis Europe Junior Masters in Orbetello (Italy) against Darija Gavrilova, from Russia, born in 1994, 6:2, 7:5. Darija Gavrilova won the tournament. In end Silvia Njiric ranked 3rd.

Ciprian Porumb, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, born in 1993, from Romenia, ranked 4th in under 14 cathegory of Tennis Europe Junior Masters in Orbetello (Italy).

15/09/07

Today we collected grapes and started 2007 Smrikve wine production

Today we collected grapes and started 2007 Smrikve wine production. In Smrikve we produce Istrian Malvazija (malmsey). During the Smrikva Bowl we use to give to every family a bottle of wine as a memory to their Smrikva Bowl. With today we started the process of transforming the grapes into wine for the 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 players.

11/09/07

Ariana Rabac played the finals of under 12 tournament in Umag

Ariana Rabac is 11 years old tennis player that trains in the Smrikve Tennis Club. Ariana played Smrikva Bowl and this year she played only few tournaments for points in Croatia. This weekend she played the finals of under 12 tournament in Umag and lost from Ena Kajevic 6:2, 6:2. Ariana is currently ranked #69 in under 12 cathergory in Croatia. She enjoy tennis and has the talent and potential to play good tennis.

09/09/07

Ivana Lisjak lost before quarter finals of USD 50000 ITF Challenger in Italy

Ivana Lisjak, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, lost on USD 50000 ITF Challenger in Italy against Alisa Kleybanova from Russia 4:6, 0:6. Ivana Lisjak is currently ranked #191 (her best ranking was #95 in June 2006) while Alisa Kleybanova is ranked #208. The whole last year Ivana has not played her best tennis. Hopefully she will enter soon her best form again.

06/09/07

Ivana Lisjak, Astrid Besser, Tereza Mrdeza, Petra Martic and Akiki Indire are top Smrikva Bowl players on WTA list

Ivana Lisjak, 2nd Smrikva Bowl 1997 winner, is ranked 191 on WTA list. Ivana’s best ranking was #95 on June 12, 2006.
Astrid Besser, 4th Smrikva Bowl 1999 winner, is ranked 492 on WTA list.
Tereza Mrdeza, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, is currently ranked 753 on WTA list.
Petra Martic, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, is currently ranked 553 on WTA list.
Indire Akiki , 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 runner up, is currently ranked 595 on WTA list.

Goran Prpic said, in an interview, that Petra Martic and Ajla Tomljanovic are among the most promissing young Croatian tennis players. For Ajla, Goran Prpis also said that in two years time he expects to see her in the main draw of Roland Garros. Ajla Tomljanovic is 14 years old and was 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up and ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003. Ajla Tomljanovic is currently ranked #334 on ITF ranking list and is ranked #5 in under 18 cathegory in Croatia. In December 2006, Ajla reached the quarterfinals of under 14 Junior Orange Bowl. Recently she moved with her family to the USA.