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, 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.

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 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.