Italian tennis star and style icon Lea Pericoli has died at the age of 89, the Italian Tennis Federation announced on Friday. The 27-time national champion from Milan was a fashion icon during her sporting career and later became a popular television presenter and journalist.

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

The formidable Italian player made it to Wimbledon three times, turning heads with every outfit.

Lea Pericoli, who has died aged 89, was a top-flight Italian tennis player better remembered for enlivening the circuit in the 1960s with her eye-catching costumes, trimmed with fur or feathers, than for her tenacious achievements with the racket.

Lea Pericoli was one of the most popular Italian tennis players of the 1950s and 1960s, but her fame was not limited to the tennis courts. Although she achieved significant sports successes, she

Former star Nicola Pietrangeli, Lea's mixed doubles partner, with whom she shared one of the golden eras of Italian tennis, said, in an emotional message: "She was a sister and a life partner to me. Words aren't enough to describe how I feel.

Lea Pericoli, the 'lady of tennis', has left us, passing away at the age of 89. She was one of the first women to narrate tennis in newspapers and on TV after playing it at the highest levels.

Lea Pericoli, who has died aged 89, was a top-flight Italian tennis player better remembered for enlivening the circuit in the 1960s with her eye-catching costumes, trimmed with fur or feathers, than for her tenacious achievements with the racket.

Italian tennis great Lea Pericoli died at the age of 89 on Friday, the Italian tennis federation said. Pericoli, who was born 22 March 1935 in MIlan, was a top tennis player in the 1950 and 60s and later a popular television presenter and journalist.