Tennis star & style icon who played at Wimbledon three times dies aged 89 as players lead tributes to legend of the game
ITALIAN tennis star and style icon Lea Pericoli has died aged 89.
The 27-time national champion was a fashion icon in her sporting career and later became a TV presenter and journalist.
Pericoli is said to have revolutionised on-court fashion in the 1950s and 60s – during the conservative era – sporting short dresses and skirts with embellished feathers and frills.
Italy‘s current top player Jannik Sinner shared a photo of him with Pericoli on Instagram, captioning: “A great lady and legend of Italian tennis.
“A special moment I’ll remember forever.”
Crowds weren’t just drawn to her incredible play but her outfits too, initially designed by British player-turned-fashion designer, Teddy Tinling.
Born in 1935, the legend won a whopping total of 27 titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles national championships.
She also reached the fourth round of Wimbledon three times in 1965, 1967 and 1970.
Pericoli was Italy’s top player for 14 years, playing until 40 years old.
She later became a popular TV presenter and journalist.
The president of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation Angelo Binaghi reflected on the icon’s influence in tennis.
He told local media: “She was a bit like the mother to all of us.”
Former Italian tennis player Flavia Pennetta also paid tribute, writing on Instagram: “This morning we all received bad news. You left Lea, leaving a big void in all of us.
“You were a wonderful woman before you were even a legend of our sport.
“I was lucky enough to meet you and share with you fantastic moments of my career and my life. I will take your precious teachings with me forever.”
In Pericoli’s personal life, the icon overcame uterine cancer in 1973 and breast cancer in 2012.
The tennis superstar once said: “Those who seek to become a champion fight a continuous war: it is a very educational sport that has taught me a lot.”