ITALIAN tennis star and style icon who won Wimbledon three times 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.
Lea Pericoli wearing a Victorian lace tennis outfit by Teddy Tinling in 1970[/caption]
Pericoli is said to have revolutionised on-court fashion in the 1950s and 60s – during the conservative era – sporting short dresses and skirts with feathers and frills attached.
Italy’s current top player Jannik Sinner shared a photo of him with Pericoli on Instagram, captioning: “A great lady and legend of Italian tennis.
“A special moment I’ll remember forever.”
Crowds weren’t just drawn to her incredible play but her outfits too, initially designed by British player-turned-fashion designer, Teddy Tinling.
