Ex-Nick Kyrgios coach explains why Serena Williams cannot be underestimated

• Tennis News
• Serena Williams

Coach Simon Rea has underlined that Serena Williams is one of the greatest champions in tennis history and he is not ruling out the American from the Wimbledon title contention. Williams, 40, is set to play her first singles tournament in 12 months at this year's Wimbledon.

Rea, who worked with Nick Kyrgios and Sam Stosur in the past, thinks Williams could overcome the odds and make a strong run at The Championships. "There's every tendency to talk about what's not possible and why it can't be done, and the obstacles and hurdles, yet for one of the greatest champions we've seen in our sport, or in any sport, anything’s possible.

We continue to have remarkable storylines told, or reborn, in our sport; who's to say there couldn't be another twist? If she's alive at the halfway point of the tournament, it feels like in a horse-race she'd be coming home with a full head of steam in the second half of the event.

So look out, if she can make it to that middle weekend," Rea told the Australian Open website.

Rea, Alicia Molik on Williams

Molik, the Australian Billie Jean King Cup captain, feels it will be very hard for Williams to make a deep Wimbledon run.

In the Wimbledon first round, Williams takes on 115th-ranked Harmony Tan. "I think it will be a stretch for Serena to get to the second week. In the first week, that's already three matches, one of those matches could potentially be a three-setter.

I just feel like something's going to prohibit her physically from competing at her best. That's why I have doubts about Serena getting to the second week. I'd love her to – it would be a dream story," Molik said. Williams didn't have a memorable Wimbledon last year as she sustained a hamstring injury and retired her first round match. Now, Williams is hoping to have a much more positive Wimbledon.