Lea Pericoli, the renowned Italian tennis star who graced the courts in the 1950s and 60s, has passed away at the age of 89. Pericoli was celebrated as one of Italy’s finest tennis players, having reached the last 16 of the French Open twice and advanced to the Wimbledon championships three times.
Born on March 22, 1935, in Milan, Pericoli later transitioned into a successful career as a television presenter and journalist. However, it was her distinctive tennis outfits, often embellished with feathers and fur, that made her a style icon in the sport.
Angelo Binaghi, president of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, expressed profound respect for Pericoli, stating, “She was a bit like the mother to all of us.”
