ITALIAN tennis star and style icon Lea Pericoli has died aged 89.
The 27-time national champion was a fashion icon in her sports career, and later became a TV host and journalist.
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Lea Pericoli in a feathered outfit in 1968. Credit: Getty
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Pericoli returns the ball during Wimbledon in 1955. Credit: AFP
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Lea Pericoli in Teddy Tinling’s Victorian lace tennis outfit in 1970 Credit: Getty
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Pericoli in a rose-trimmed tennis dress designed by Teddy Tinling at Wimbledon, 1965. Credit: Getty
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She was photographed wearing a feather-trimmed tennis dress in 1964. Credit: Getty
Pericoli is said to have revolutionized fashion on the court in the 1950s and 60s – during a conservative era – wearing 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, with the caption: “A great lady and a legend of Italian tennis.
– A special moment that I will remember forever.
It wasn’t just her incredible acting that drew crowds, but her outfit, which was initially designed by British player-turned-fashion designer, Teddy Tinling.
Born in 1935, the legend has won an incredible total of 27 singles, doubles and mixed doubles national championships.
She also reached the fourth round of Wimbledon three times in 1965, 1967 and 1970.
Pericoli was the best Italian player for 14 years, he played until he was 40.
She later became a popular TV host and journalist.
The president of the Italian tennis and padel federation, Angelo Binaghi, reflected on the influence of the icon in tennis.
He told local media: “She was a bit like a mother to all of us.”
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Former Italian tennis player Flavia Pennetta also paid tribute, writing on Instagram: “We all received bad news this morning. You left Lea, leaving a big void in all of us.
“You were a wonderful woman even before you became a legend of our sport.
“I was lucky enough to meet you and share with you the fantastic moments of my career and 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 want to become champions wage a continuous war: it is a very instructive sport that has taught me a lot.”
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Lea Pericoli of Italy (left) and Carol Kalogeropoulos of Greece model a dacron outfit by English fashion designer Ted Tinling in 1970. Credit: Getty
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Legend in 2018. Credit: Getty
Categories: Optical Illusion
Source: HIS Education