News

05/09/07

Adelchi Virgili - Bobo continue to feel pain in his back

Adelchi Virgili, 5th Smrikva Bowl 2000 winner, continue to feel pain in his back and it is not clear when he will recover. The latest news on Bobo can be found on blog of Ubaldo Scanagatta – http://www.blogquotidiani.net/tennis/ and the italian tennis players forum internet page http://forum.tennisteen.it/giocatori-italiani-vf8.html. Both pages are in italian. Below are reported the most important news on Bobo.

In April 2007, Adelchi Virgili – Bobo trained with Rafael Nadal in Monte Carlo and about 50 spectators enjoyed that training. Bobo showed again his great talent. Toni Nadal, Rafa’s uncle, said for Adelchi:” I consider him a phenomenon since he was 14 years old… unfortunately Bobo has this pain in his back that has blocked his progress… he lost at least two years… now he is 17 years old and there are other good players but Bobo has a strong will… the problems is only to see if he will be able to solve his back pain problems.”

Riccardo Piatti, Ivan Ljubicic’s trainer, continue to believe in Bobo Virgili. Piatti helps Bobo’s father Alessandro. He found a sponsor for Bobo and is following Adelchi since he was a kid. Thanks to Piatti, Bobo trained this year in Monte Carlo also with Davydenko and Ljubicic. In training with Ljubicic he lost a set 6:4 but was leading 3:0.

Bobo had many phisical problems since 2004. After first problems he was forced not to train for 5 months. The back pain problems are mainly due to an error in heavy weights trainings. Bobo said that he was not able to run in the last six months. He also said that after 45 minutes of play he has to stop. Currently Bobo is trying to increase his physical resistance training with stationary bicycle.

Good luck Bobo!

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.

05/09/07

Marin Draganja lost in the first round qualifications of Junior US Open 2007

Marin Draganja, 6th Smrikva Bowl 2001 winner, lost in the first round qualifications of Junior US Open 2007 against Jared Easton from Australia 6:4, 4:6, 6:7. Jared Easton is currently ranked #60 on ITF ranking list while Marin Draganja is currently ranked #143 on ITF ranking list. Marin Draganja is ranked #15 in Europe in under 16 cathegory and is ranked #18 in under 18 cathegory in Croatia. He was in the finals of the Avvenire Tournament in Milan this year, one of the most important under 16 tournaments in the World.

04/09/07

Giacomo Miccini lost in the first round of Junior US Open 2008

Giacomo Miccini lost in the first round of Junior US Open 2008 against Dennis Nevolo from USA 7:5, 4:6, 0:6. People that assisted the game said that Giacomo has already around 200 km/h fast serve.

In the first round of qualifications Giacomo Miccini won against Emmett Egger from USA 6:0, 6:2. Emmett Egger played 2nd “Little Mo”/Smrikva Bowl 2003 in Austin on October 24th. In the second round of qualifications Giacomo won against Bernard Tomic from Australia 2:6, 6:4, 6:2. Bernard Tomic is considered #1 player in the World in 1992 age group. He is ranked #42 on ITF ranking list. Bernard Tomic replaced Young and played in the main draw of the Junior US Open against Fernando Romboli from Brazil, ranked #3 on ITF ranking list, and won 6:0, 6:7, 6:4.

In 2002, Giacomo Miccini from Italy played Smrikva Bowl. He was 7th Smrikva Bowl runner up. Currently, Giacomo Miccini is ranked #84 on ITF ranking list but is only 15 years old. Since he was 13 he started to train at Nick Bollettieri’s Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

30/08/07

Ema Burgic and Ciprian Porumb ranked #1 in Europe in their age groups

Ema Burgic, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is currently ranked #1 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.

Ciprian Porumb, ranked 3rd on 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Romenia, is currently ranked #1 in Europe in under 14 cathegory. Only month ago, on Sunday, July the 29th, in Ostrava, the Czech Republic, 4 years after he played Smrikva Bowl in Pula, Ciprian Porumb junior crowned himself as the new U14 European champion! Ciprian Porumb junior is a son of Ciprian Porumb senior, the former Romenian Davis Cup player.

Congratulations Ema and Ciprian!

30/08/07

Some 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 #10 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Giaccomo Miccini, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Italy, is ranked #89 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 #98 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.
Ajla Tomljanovic, 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up, from Croatia, is ranked #337 on ITF ranking list and is ranked #5 in under 18 cathegory in Croatia. In December 2006, Ajla Tomljanovic reached the quarterfinals of under 14 Junior Orange Bowl. Ajla Tomljanovic recently moved with her family to the USA. Ajla’s father Ratko Tomljanovic was the captain of the Croatian hand-ball team during the Olimpic games in Atlanta in 1996 that won the golden medal.
Ema Burgic, ranked 3rd on 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002, from Bosnia and Herzegovina, is ranked #1 in Europe in under 16 cathegory.

2003 – 8th Smrikva Bowl
Dominic Thiem, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 winner, from Austria, is ranked #64 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
George Morgan, 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003 runner up, from Great Britain, is ranked #15 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 #10 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 8th Smrikva Bowl 2003, from Croatia, is ranked #337 on ITF ranking list and is ranked #5 in under 18 cathegory in Croatia. In December 2006, Ajla Tomljanovic reached the quarterfinals of under 14 Junior Orange Bowl. Ajla Tomljanovic recently moved with her family to the USA. Ajla’s father Ratko Tomljanovic was the captain of the Croatian hand-ball team during the Olimpic games in Atlanta in 1996 that won the golden medal.

2004 – 9th Smrikva Bowl
Ivan Levar, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Croatia, is ranked #96 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 #66 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

Saska Gavrilovska, 9th Smrikva Bowl 2004 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #779 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 #154 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

2005 – 10th Smrikva Bowl
Matteo Donati, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Italy, is ranked #266 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.
Gyore Laszlo, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, from Serbia, is ranked #498 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

Saska Gavrilovska, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 winner, from Serbia, is ranked #779 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 #85 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

2006 – 11th Smrikva Bowl
Gianluigi Quinzi, 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 winner, from Italy, is ranked #150 in Europe in under 14 cathegory and is ranked #783 in under 16 cathegory.
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.

29/08/07

Franca Ronzio and Ester Arini Ronzio were on holiday in Smrikve

Franca Ronzio and Ester Arini Ronzio were on holiday in Smrikve. Franca with his brother Ugo run the Ronzio Oleodinamica. Ronzio Oleodinamica manufactures gear pumps, motors and flow dividers in aluminium and cast iron for a wide range of industries including: construction, forestry, agriculture, commercial vehicles, earth moving, and machine tools. Ronzio Oleodinamica was established in 1950 by Dante Ronzio. Ronzio Oleodinamica is one of the main Smrikva Bowl sponsors since Smrikva Bowl establishment in 1996.

28/08/07

Giacomo Miccini will play Junior US Open 2008

In 2002, Giacomo Miccini from Italy played Smrikva Bowl. He was 7th Smrikva Bowl runner up. Currently, Giacomo Miccini is ranked #90 on ITF ranking list but is only 15 years old. It is probably #2 in the World in his age group, second only to Tomic from Australia. Since he was 13 he started to train at Nick Bollettieri’s Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

Good luck in New York Giacomo !

28/08/07

Tennis Club from Trieste was again in Smrikve

Every year at the end of August we have tennis players from Trieste that came to train in the Tennis Club Smrikve. In mid October we will have some friendly matches with tennis players from Scotland that will come to Pula and in the spring we expect to have players from Germany. It is a pleasure for us when we have tennis players that choose Smrikve for training.

28/08/07

Michela Stanzione, in art named Michela May, from Milan was in Smrikve

Michela Stanzione, in art named Michela May, was on vacation in Villa Smrikve with his boyfriend Marco. Michela is 19 years old singer from Milan with a beutiful voice. It was a real pleasure for me to listen Michela’s singing with the piano in Smrikve.

Michela is currently working with Claudio Montanelli for the San Remo festival. San Remo festival is one of the most important song festivals in Italy. Claudio is also a very good friend of Smrikve and one of the main Smrikva Bowl sponsors. He is in the printing business but is also a guitar player and song writer. Claudio Montanelli was in Smrikve several years ago with his daughter Sara that plays tennis and since than he was printing in his company, Fotolito MV Milano, the Smrikva Bowl brochure. If you would like to enjoy Michela’s voice please visit: http://www.youtube.com/ and digit Michela May or watch the Video here.

If you would like to follow Michela’s progress you can do it also visiting her internet site: www.michelamay.com

Good luck Michela and Claudio in this new venture!

28/08/07

Zvonimir Babic visited Smrikve

Zvonimir Babic played twice Smrikva Bowl and was in Smrikve on vacation with his parents. It is the first time that Zvonimir came in Smrikve without rackets because of an arm injury. I hope that very soon he will be back on the courts. Zvonimir’s father Vlado is one of the Smrikva Bowl sponsors with his company Komot. Vlado Babic was also the person that gave the idea to plant an olive tree during the tournament. It is always a pleasure to have former Smrikva Bowl players in Smrikve.

13/08/07

Novak Djokovic (Nole) beat Roger Federer for Rogers Masters Crown and enter the history

Novak Djokovic realized a dream week at the Rogers Masters in Montreal with a 7:6, 2:6, 7-6 championship victory over Roger Federer.

With his wins over World #3 Andy Roddick and World #2 Rafael Nadal, in the quarterfinals and semifinals respectively, as well as his first win in five career meetings with Federer in the final, Djokovic becomes the first player since Boris Becker at Stockholm in 1994 to defeat the Top 3 players in the ATP Rankings at the same tournament. Thirteen years ago, Becker beat #3 Michael Stich in the quarterfinals, #1 Pete Sampras in the semifinals and #2 Goran Ivanisevic in the final. Djokovic returned to be #3 in the ATP Rankings.

What the players said
Djokovic: “It’s been an amazing week for me, an amazing tournament. Probably next to Miami, the best tournament of my career. I can say that this was an even bigger success because I managed to beat Top 3 players in the World in the last three rounds. I can’t describe the feeling I have right now. It’s like a dream come true.”

Federer: “Like I’ve said, he’s an up and coming youngster who is improving almost by the day. He’s been able to back it up for basically a year now. If he keeps this up, he’s going to create some chances at the Grand Slams because he’s been to two semifinals already. This might be a breakthrough tournament for him.”

11/08/07

Gyore Laszlo after two years again in Smrikve

Gyore Laszlo, 10th Smrikva Bowl 2005 runner up, is on vacation in Smrikve. It is very nice to receive former Smrikva Bowl players’ visits. During 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 also Filip Kraljevic and Dina Paocic, both 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 runner up, played a tournament in Umag and came to visit Smrikve.

09/08/07

Croatia won European Championship under 16 - Summer Cup - in Le Touquet (France)

In the finals of the Summer Cup, Croatia won against France with 2:0. Marin Draganja, Dino Marcan and Leonard Ivic contributed to the victory.

Marin Draganja – Puget 6:3, 7:6
Dino Marcan – Obry 6:2, 6:0

Marin Draganja was the winner of the 6th Smrikva Bowl in 2001 and Dino Marcan was the runner up that year.

Congratulations!

09/08/07

Dear former Smrikva Bowl players,

Please continue to write about your progresses to my e-mail [email protected]. I will be pleased to post the news and keep the comunity updated. This way we can cheer together every good result. Good luck to every Smrikva Bowl player!

04/08/07

Giacomo Miccini's internet site - 7th Smrikva Bowl 2002 runner up

In 2002, Giacomo Miccini from Italy played Smrikva Bowl. He was a runner up of the 7th Smrikva Bowl. Currently, Giacomo Miccini is ranked #91 on ITF ranking list but is only 15 years old. Since he was 13 he started to train at Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida.

If you are interested to follow his progress and you understand italian please visit his internet site: www.giacomomiccini.com

Congratulations Giacomo and good luck!

01/08/07

12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 photos are on line in the Smrikva Bowl Photo Gallery

In the new photo gallery under smrikva bowl section you can find some photos of the 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007 players.

There are photos of Virginia Pena, Ana Konjuh, Sacha Merzetti, Bogdan Borza, Domonique Garley, Ndindi Ndunda, Tommy Paul, Gonzalo Morell, Nina Potocnik and some other Smrikva Bowl players. There is also a photo of some Smrikva Bowl players with Stipe Drvis, the World Box Champion from Pula.

Thank you Stipe for comming to the Smrikva Bowl!

31/07/07

Luca Appino from Mouratoglou Tennis Academy proposed a 7 days stage for the future Smrikva Bowl winners

Luca Appino 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. Luca is credited for signing contracts with players such as Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Kim Clijsters, Carlos Moya, Nadia Petrova and Aravane Rezzai.

Since 2002, Luca has been supporting the Smrikva Bowl development. He was introduced to me by Marco Girardini, the coach of Martina Caregaro that won 7th Smrikva Bowl that year.

Recently, Luca Appino has been dedicating his time to various business activities and has also joined the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy. As one of the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy managers, Luca proposed to the future Smrikva Bowl winners a 7 days stage in the Academy. 13th Smrikva Bowl 2008 winners will have the opportunity to train for one week at Mouratoglou Tennis Academy. Mouratoglou Tennis Academy is the number 1 top level Tennis Academy in Europe. Marcos Baghdatis developed at Mouratoglou Tennis Academy.

Thank you Luca for your support and good luck in your new venture!

30/07/07

Ciprian Porumb the new U14 European Champion

Ciprian Porumb played 8th Smrikva Bowl in 2003 and ranked 3rd. Currently, Ciprian is ranked #4 in Europe in under 14 cathegory. Ciprian Porumb jr. is a son of Ciprian Porumb sr. the Romanian Davis Cup player. Please find enclosed the latest news on Ciprian progress. Congratulations Ciprian!

Dear Mio,

I don’t know if this is a first or not, but you can be proud of having a (new) European champion who’s first international tournament was Smrikva Bowl: Sunday, July the 29th, in Ostrava, the Czech Republic, 4 years after he played in Pula, Ciprian Alexandru Porumb crowned himself as the new U14 European champion!

Please visit following link for details:

http://www.tenniseurope.org/JuniorTennis/EuroChamps-Summary.aspx

All the best to you and the whole Smrikve community!

Ciprian jr., Ciprian sen. and Ovidiu

30/07/07

Jennifer and Jessica Ren interview on BBC Sport Tennis

Jennifer Ren won the 8th Smrikva Bowl in 2003. When Jennifer played Smrikva Bowl I asked her what will she remember from the Smrikva Bowl and she said that she will remember that we have a free drinks during the tournament :). Jennifer Ren came to Smrikve with Brian McFadden that returned to the Smrikva Bowl in 2007 with other players from UK. In 2003, George Morgan from UK was also very successful playing the finals. Currently, George Morgan is ranked #12 in Europe in under 14 cathegory.

Please find enclosed the BBC article and interview done by Alistar Magowan with Jennifer and her younger sister Jessica.

JENNIFER REN FACTS
Born: January 21 1993
Honours: 2006 U14 doubles title British Nationals, third in 2005 Orange Bowl, 2005 U12 British Nationals
Favourite player: Kim Clijsters

JESSICA REN FACTS
Born: 23 August 1994, Sheffield
Honours: 2006 U14 doubles title British Nationals
Favourite players: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Kim Clijsters

Sheffield’s own Williams sisters
By Alistair Magowan

“With the Grand Slams there are so many opportunities to win,” said Venus Williams after taking the singles and doubles titles at the Sydney Olympics.
“A gold medal, it’s just once every four years and who knows what might happen between now and 2004.”

Venus and Serena may have been the first sisters to dominate at an Olympics, but Britain has some tennis siblings who are eyeing up the chance of glory in 2012.
In a quiet corner of Sheffield, two sisters are pounding the courts six days a week as they build the foundations for what they hope will be top-level careers.
Jennifer Ren, aged 13, and sister Jessica, 12, are rated in the world’s “top ten in their age groups” by their coach, former Davis Cup player John Clifton who has mentored the pair since they were eight.

Clifton says: “If they do manage to keep moving forwards then they would be the right age (to compete at the Olympics).
“But the cards are re-dealt every year. You just never know whether they are going to develop physically, mentally and whether they keep on working.
“They’ve put in a lot of work so far I just hope that it continues. They are the hardest working juniors that I’ve coached.”

Sibling rivalry
Unlike Venus and Serena, the Ren sisters do not have the shadow of an influential father hanging over them.
In fact their parents claim to have little sporting prowess. Both academics, they arrived from China 16 years ago and settled in Sheffield to study architecture.
The girls’ father, Alan, introduced the girls to tennis and now escorts them as they play in some of the world’s biggest junior competitions.
“They don’t really get their competitiveness from their parents,” he laughs.
“We try to emphasise a good education although it’s getting difficult with all the travelling and tournaments they play in.”
When we’re playing against each other our relationship isn’t that good…we just wind each other up

Keeping the girls grounded has been a success so far. If Jennifer didn’t make it as a tennis player, she says she would like to attend a good university.
“It’s not the stardom they’re after,” Alan says, “but that comes with the success.
“They are normal kids, they go through all the emotions, and they like to do everything well; their school work and their tennis.”
That kind of dedication has already paid dividends and has helped what appears to be a healthy sibling rivalry.

Jennifer says: “When we’re playing against each other our relationship isn’t that good because we argue quite a lot, we just wind each other up.
“Off the court we’re okay, but there’s still a bit of rivalry.”

Jessica adds: “I’ve only won twice in tournaments (against Jennifer). Every other time she’s beaten me.

“We shout when we lose a point, we make comments we shouldn’t say and then in practice matches, we argue about the score, the line calls and everything.

“Sometimes we don’t get much tennis done,” she adds, laughing. “Our parents have walked off and left us to it at times.”

Ambitions
Whatever their relationship on and off the court, others have been impressed by their work ethic.
In 2005 they went to the renowned Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, where the legendary coach called them “darn good”, and they are due back there this autumn.

The pair will also compete in the Orange Bowl, regarded as the world’s unofficial junior championships, with Jennifer looking to improve on her third place last year.
But it’s not all jet-setting and meeting world-famous coaches. The constant slog means the girls have to make sacrifices.

“I miss going out with my friends a bit,” admits Jennifer. “I just do the core subjects at school and my friends are a bit jealous when I shoot off.

“It’s hard to keep the focus sometimes but I suppose if you want to be good you need to have focus.

“I’ve made my mind up already, I want to be a tennis player.”

Jessica adds: “I’m competitive. I don’t like to lose, I don’t give up usually. I don’t have many days when I’m playing very badly.

“I’d like to do well at Wimbledon and be in the world’s top ten. That’s our goal really, to do what Andy Murray and Tim Henman did for women’s tennis.”

With the pair admitting to being excited by the Olympics, what price a Ren sisters gold in London in 2012?

30/07/07

Carlos Moya won 18th Studena Croatia Open at Umag

Carlos Moya won for the fifth time the 18th Studena Croatia Open at Umag. Carlos Moya won against Andrei Pavel from Rumenia 6:4 6:2.

Jofre Porta was in Umag with Carlos Moya. Two years ago Jofre came to Smrikve with Virgina Pena when she played 11th Smrikva Bowl 2006 and ranked 3rd that year. This year Virginia Pena won 12th Smrikva Bowl 2007.