It was 83 degrees on the SoHo rooftop, and we were all here to see the woman in the red cashmere trench coat. Gracious, gorgeous, (and somehow sweat-free), Maria Sharapova spoke with Laura Brown (the former Editor-in-Chief of InStyle and fashion maven) at IMG’s NYFW Glam Slam presented by Chase Sapphire about her tennis career, life in retirement, and of course, her new entrance into motherhood with the joy of her son. After a Q&A between the two influential women, I made my way over to the tennis legend to talk to her about a topic that she knows perhaps better than most: travel.

Nobody moves like Sharapova. Born in Russia and uprooting to Florida when she was 7 years old, the tennis star has spent so much of her life away from home. She grew up quickly, and at the age of 17, became the third youngest woman to win Wimbledon. Maria Sharapova became a household name, and she traveled around the world defending her number one title. 

One Travel Editor’s 4 Favorite Athletic Skorts

Now, despite being a little over two years into retirement, Sharapova’s life has not slowed down. Between spending her time with her family and newborn Theodore, working on her charity the Maria Sharapova Foundation, running her candy company Sugarpova, and supporting the brands she is an investor in, Sharapova is always on the go.

Being a tennis player and an experienced traveler go hand in hand, since athletes frequently find themselves on the road. Whether it’s squeezing in a quick gym session in a hotel room with her own portable set of ankle weights, jet-setting in cozy pieces from some of her favorite brands, or keeping her complexion refreshed and hydrated with skincare products to fight dry air, jet lag, and changing climates during travel, we have the scoop on her must-have travel products.

So what does the five-time Grand Slam winner, business mogul, and new mom always keep in her suitcase? Keep reading for the 7 essentials Sharapova never leaves home without.

The Best Athleisure Items Every Traveler Needs

Hotel Room Workouts

“I try to keep [up] my workout routine as much as I can on the go, because I feel like when you travel you don’t feel as settled,” Sharapova said. “I bring my Bala bangles with me for a workout in the hotel room, or the bands that I put around my knees.”

Bala Bangles

To buy: amazon.com, $40 (originally $49)

Resistance Bands

To buy: madewell.com, $20

On-the-Go Wellness and Beauty

“For travel wellness, I love Barbara Sturm’s little on-the-go products, whether it’s the serums, the mist, any of it.” She went on to say, “I’m quite simple when it comes to beauty, I use the same Kanebo mascara that I’ve used for so many years. It’s a Japanese brand, I try to keep it simple. I just don’t have the time for it.”

Dr. Barbara Sturm Serum Discovery Set

To buy: sephora.com, $325

Dr. Barbara Sturm Hydrating Face Mist

To buy: bloomingdales.com, $100

Kanebo Mascara

To buy: amazon.com, $39 

Travel Fashion

“Usually, I throw something on by The Great. Or I love traveling in this Australian brand called Bassike,” Sharapova said.

The Great The Trail Sweatshirt

To buy: thisisthegreat.com, $215

Bassike Cashmere Weekend Track Pants

To buy: us.bassike.com, $540 (originally $895)

And speaking of travel, when the tennis superstar’s not working, momming, or sporting, she has been known to take a trip or two. Favorite destinations? “In the last couple years, I fell in love with Croatia, hopping around to the different islands and going to so many undiscovered places there,” she said, adding, “I would love to go to Alaska or Butan, those are my dream destinations. And Italy is never a bad idea.”

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