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Tennis star and style icon Lea Pericoli dies

NC Desk October 5, 2024

Getty Pericoli wearing a Victorian lace tennis outfit at Wimbledon — Lea Pericoli wearing a Victorian lace tennis outfit by Teddy Tinling at Wimbledon in 1970

Lea Pericoli, Italian tennis star of the 1950s and 60s, has died aged 89.

Regarded as one of her country’s top players, she reached the last 16 of the French Open twice and the Wimbledon championships three times.

Pericoli, who was born on 22 March 1935 in Milan, later became a popular television presenter and journalist, but it was contest outfits adorned with feather and fur that made her an icon.

“She was a bit like the mother to all of us,” Angelo Binaghi, president of the Italian Tennis and Padel Federation, told local media.

grey placeholder — Playing a forehand return to María Josefa de Riba of Spain during their Women’s Singles Second Round match at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship on 21 June 1955 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, England. María Josefa de Riba won the match

Getty Pericoli returns a forehand serve in a white dress, mid movement — Playing a forehand return to María Josefa de Riba of Spain during their Women’s Singles Second Round match at the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championship on 21 June 1955 at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, London, England. María Josefa de Riba won the match

grey placeholder — Wearing a tennis dress trimmed with feathers, designed by British sportswear designer Teddy Tinling on 23 June 1964.

Getty Pericoli is holding a racquet and is wearing a white dress trimmed with feathers — Wearing a tennis dress trimmed with feathers, designed by British sportswear designer Teddy Tinling on 23 June 1964.

grey placeholder — Pictured holding an umbrella on a court during the 1965 Wimbledon Championships on 23 June 1965

Getty Pericoli is wearing a white dress frilled with lace roses on the skirt, holding a racquet in one hand and a parasol in the other. — Pictured holding an umbrella on a court during the 1965 Wimbledon Championships on 23 June 1965

grey placeholder — Serving to Billie Jean Moffitt of the US during their Women’s Singles Quarter Final match at the third edition of the Federation Cup on 16th January 1965 at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club in Melbourne, Australia. Billie Jean Moffitt won the match 6 – 1, 6 – 2

Getty Pericoli serves in a white dress and headscarf — Serving to Billie Jean Moffitt of the US during their Women’s Singles Quarter Final match at the third edition of the Federation Cup on 16th January 1965 at the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club in Melbourne, Australia. Billie Jean Moffitt won the match 6 – 1, 6 – 2

grey placeholder — Posing in a feathered outfit on court in the UK, 23 June 1968

Getty Images Pericoli is seen standing in front of a tennis net, posing in a feathered outfit on court in the UK, 23rd June 1968. — Posing in a feathered outfit on court in the UK, 23 June 1968

grey placeholder — Pericoli (left) and Carol Kalogeropoulos of Greece, modeling Dacron outfits by inling at a press preview of the designer’s new tennis wear collection at the Belvedere Restaurant in Holland Park, London, 22 June 1970. Percoli is wearing a flaring shift dress with fine pleated trim and gold and pearl decorations. Kalogeropoulos wears a bare-midriff-effect outfit of see-through mini dress, covering a lace half-slip and bra, and silver guipure shorts

Getty Images Pericoli models a flared shift dress with her a fellow tennis player — Pericoli (left) and Carol Kalogeropoulos of Greece, modeling Dacron outfits by inling at a press preview of the designer’s new tennis wear collection at the Belvedere Restaurant in Holland Park, London, 22 June 1970. Percoli is wearing a flaring shift dress with fine pleated trim and gold and pearl decorations. Kalogeropoulos wears a bare-midriff-effect outfit of see-through mini dress, covering a lace half-slip and bra, and silver guipure shorts

grey placeholder — Attending the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 2019 in Monaco

Getty Images Attending the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 2019 in Monaco — Attending the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters 2019 in Monaco

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