Italian tennis player and journalist who won the 1968 French Open mixed doubles title and later became a prominent sports writer. Known for her pioneering work as a female journalist in a male-dominated field.
Known for her stunning looks on the tennis court, Lea Pericoli is an Italian former tennis player, television presenter, and journalist who made a lasting impression in the tennis world with her unique style and elegant gameplay. Born on March 22, 1935, in Milan, Italy, Pericoli's tennis career spanned over two decades, earning her a reputation as one of the most fashionable players of her time.
Pericoli's tennis career was marked by notable achievements, including reaching the last sixteen of the French Open twice and the Wimbledon Championships three times. Her most notable Grand Slam performance was in 1964, when she reached the last sixteen of the French Championships singles. Additionally, she partnered with Helga Schultze to win the doubles title at the 1974 WTA Swiss Open.
Pericoli represented Italy in the Fed Cup for nine years, starting from its inaugural year in 1963, and won 8 of her 16 singles matches and 7 of her 14 doubles matches. She also partnered with Silvana Lazzarino to reach five women's doubles finals in six years at the Italian International Championships.
Pericoli's sense of style and fashion on the court gained her as much attention as her tennis skills. In 1955, she wore clothes designed by Ted Tinling at the Wimbledon Championships, which sparked interest in her fashion sense. Her fur-lined clothing worn at the 1964 Wimbledon Championships caught the attention of observers, and her outfits were often kept secret until her appearances on the court.
In a 2001 interview with the Sunday Mirror, Pericoli stated, "I became famous because of my clothes, not my playing. And I didn't make any money from tennis, but if I'd been born 30 years later I would have become terribly rich like Anna Kournikova."
On May 7, 2015, Pericoli was honored at the Olympic Park of the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, in the presence of the President of the Italian National Olympic Committee, Giovanni Malag.
Lea Pericoli's contributions to tennis and fashion have made her a lasting figure in the tennis world. Her unique style and elegance on the court have inspired generations of tennis players, and her legacy continues to be celebrated in the tennis community.
| Birth Date | March 22, 1935 |
|---|---|
| Nationality | Italian |
| Known for | Tennis player, television presenter, and journalist |
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