Lea Pericoli, the iconic Italian tennis star andItalian fashion icon, has passed away at the age of 89. Known for her elegance both on and off the court, Pericoli was Italy’s top player for 14 years, from 1959 to 1976, and a trailblazer in tennis fashion. She was famous for her daring outfits, including dresses adorned with feathers and mink, designed by Teddy Tinling. Beyond her 27 national titles in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles, she made it to the fourth round of Wimbledon and Roland Garros several times.
Her influence extended beyond tennis; she was also a respected television presenter and journalist, continuing to inspire well into her later years. Pericoli’s grace and resilience were further exemplified by her battles with cancer, surviving both uterine cancer in 1973 and breast cancer in 2012. Fellow Italian tennis legend Nicola Pietrangeli mourned her passing, referring to her as a sister and lifelong companion.Italian
Lea Pericoli’s legacy is remembered not only for her achievements in tennis but also for her contributions to sports media and her remarkable personal style【29†source】【30†source】【31†source】.
