Remembering Lea Pericoli: A Trailblazer in Tennis and Journalism
On Friday morning, the world of sports mourned the loss of Lea Pericoli, who passed away at the age of 89. Pericoli was a formidable Italian tennis player in the 1950s and 1960s and later carved out a significant career as a journalist and commentator, making her mark as the first woman to commentate tennis in Italy.
Born in Milan in March 1935, Pericoli spent her formative years in Africa, living in Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Kenya before returning to Italy at the age of seventeen. It was here that she began her career as a professional tennis player. Throughout her playing days, Pericoli achieved remarkable success, winning numerous international tournaments in both singles and doubles. Notably, she secured 27 Italian championships—a record that stands to this day—and dominated the Italian tennis scene for fourteen consecutive years, starting from 1959 until her retirement in 1976.
After hanging up her racket, Pericoli transitioned into a respected role as a television commentator, breaking barriers as the first woman to provide commentary for a tennis match in Italy. Despite the challenges that often accompany being a pioneering female presence in a male-dominated sport, she earned the respect of her peers and audiences alike. For many years, she also took on the role of interviewer, connecting with both male and female tennis players on the court during the Internazionali, Italy's premier tennis tournament held annually in Rome.
Pericoli was cherished not only for her skills on the court but also for her poise and elegance, both in her playing style and her method of narrating the sport. Her contributions to tennis and journalism made her an enduring figure in the Italian sports landscape, inspiring future generations of athletes and commentators.
As we remember Lea Pericoli, we celebrate a life dedicated to breaking barriers and setting standards in both tennis and journalism. She leaves behind a legacy that will continue to inspire many in the worlds of sports and broadcasting.
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