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 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.
The legend won a whopping total of 27 titles i n singles, doubles and mixed doubles national championships..