Smashtalk: Who is missing from the Hall of Fame?

The #Smashtalk team of Paul Moore, Vivienne Christie, Matt Trollope and Leigh Rogers are looking forward in this edition: What next for Novak? Who should be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame next? And who is worth keeping an eye on this week?

Do you agree or disagree with our panel? Have your say on Facebook and Twitter using #SmashTalk.

Rumours are rife that Novak is about to withdraw from the US Open – and possibly the rest of the year. What do you think he should do?

Paul Moore: I think Novak is in a bit of bother at the moment. He clearly has some physical issues, but I think the bulk of his problem is in his head. Where is the fire? The intensity? The sheer refusal to lose? Rather than stumble around the Tour, he’d be better off ditching the rest of his 2017 and working on re-igniting his passion for winning.

Vivienne Christie: It becomes too easy to take a champion’s long term dominance for granted. In January, it will be a decade since Djokovic claimed the first of his 12 Grand Slams at the Australian Open. Injured or not, I say take a break, Novak. Not only has he earned it but many would also be delighted to see the Serb come back stronger.

READ MORE: Djokovic likely to miss US Open

Matt Trollope: I think this is sensible. He’s clearly struggling physically and seems to be exhibiting signs of burnout. He has nothing much to defend in the way of titles/points anymore given he’s not currently holding any of the four major titles. Why not just shut it down for the rest of the season and take a big chunk of time to rest, refresh and recharge? It did Roger no harm last year. What’s Djokovic got to lose?

Leigh Rogers: With so much speculation, I feel for Novak. He has had a rough 12 months and it is clear this has taken both a physical and mental toll. Would a break help? Perhaps – but that is not an easy decision to make, especially for a player who thrives on momentum. If Novak is fit enough to compete at the US Open I think he should, the lack of expectation on a Grand Slam stage (something he has not experienced for a long time) might help reignite his missing spark.

RELATED: Todd Woodbridge on what next for Novak

Kim Clijsters and Andy Roddick have just been added to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Which retired players do you think should be added next year?

PM: I always think Hall of Fames are North American constructs, with inductees heavily skewed towards that continent. Anyway perceived prejudice aside, where on the men’s side is Michael Stich, Carlos Moya, or Marcelo Rios? On the women’s side, how come Conchita Martinez and Mary Pierce aren’t in there?  Oh, and if Esther Vegeer doesn’t get inducted next year then the whole thing is a sham.

VC: This gets a little tricky. All the 30-something players who seem obvious – Federer, Nadal, Serena and Venus – are still competing at the top of the game. And I’d say Lleyton Hewitt is yet to be an “insignificant” factor for the five years that’s requisite to the elite induction. All of those players will of course be honoured eventually. In the meantime, I think former No.1 Spaniards Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Moyà are each deserving.

GALLERY: Clijsters, Roddick honoured

MT: To be honest, I don’t think anyone should be added next year. The last three years players like Marat Safin, Amelie Mauresmo and Andy Roddick have been inducted, and while they enjoyed excellent careers, are 1-2 major titles really ITHOF-worthy? Apparently not – the rules for induction have since been tightened and going forward players need to have far more on their CV before they can be considered. If that means we go a few years without an induction, so be it – it will actually make it more significant when there is an induction.

LR: As Kim Clijsters reflected on her stellar career at the weekend, she made special mention of her doubles achievements alongside Ai Sugiyama. The Japanese player, who spent 45 weeks as the world No.1 doubles player and reached a career-high singles ranking of No.8, would be a deserving Hall of Fame member too. She won four Grand Slam doubles titles and holds the record for most consecutive Grand Slams played by a woman with 62 – plus it is about time a player from an Asian country is included.

RELATED: Clijsters reflects on stellar career

There’s plenty of action going on this week. Is there anything or anyone you’re particularly following?

PM: Not really. With most of the tournaments on clay it’s tough to get a gauge on who will go well once the North American hard court swing gets properly up and running. That said, I’m interested to see whether David Goffin’s return from injury gathers pace.

VC: I’ve sensed all season that Caroline Wozniacki is set for a breakthrough. Back in action at the Ericsson Open in Sweden, the Dane is well placed to claim a first 2017 title after four finals. It would set her up superbly for a solid run on the US hard courts that have delivered Wozniacki with her two Grand Slam runner-up performances.

READ MORE: Wozniacki makes winning start in Sweden

MT: I think the draw in Bastad is actually deceptively strong. The top five seeds – Wozniacki, Sevastova, Garcia, Suarez Navarro and Bertens – are all enjoying really solid seasons. Suarez Navarro may be the exception, but then she’s great on clay, the surface on which this event is played. For a WTA International event slightly off the beaten track in the no-man’s land between Wimbledon and the US hardcourt season, this could actually be a tournament worth paying attention to.

LR: I’m keeping an eye on Jack Sock, who begins his US hard court campaign in Atlanta. After a promising start to the season netted two titles and a career-high ranking of No.14, the talented 24-year-old American has a 3-4 win-loss record since May. He desperately needs to regain form and as the top seed this week, he should make a deep run but does he have the confidence to do so?