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Like many, I discovered Aryna Sabalenka on the court. As the #1 women’s tennis player in the world, it’s no surprise she dominates. But I fell in love with her—her style, her demeanor, her work ethic, her sense of humor—off the court when I started following the athlete on Instagram. In her Cosmo Sports cover story last year, she told us she’s a huge beauty lover, with a makeup kit that weighs over 10 pounds that she travels everywhere with. Working with a beauty brand would only be a natural next step, right? Now, Aryna is entering a new era as the global brand ambassador for Moroccanoil. The brand’s been the official hair care sponsor of the Miami Open, establishing itself within the sport. Bringing the two together was a strong fit, Aryna tells Cosmo. “I’ve used Moroccanoil for years, and when I travel, I see the brand everywhere—from salons to airports,” she says. “I love that the brand is about confidence and feeling your best, because I really connect with that.” Cosmo caught up with the tennis star ahead of the U.S. Open to chat about everything beauty, her Moroccanoil partnership, and what she keeps in her training bag to stay ready and focused on match days. What’s more nerve-wracking: Shooting a beauty campaign or competing in a tournament? I would say shooting a beauty campaign! On the court, I feel very comfortable because I know what to do and I know how to compete. In front of the camera, I’m thinking about so many little things like my hair, my makeup, my outfit, where to stand, how to pose. It’s a totally different kind of pressure. But I try to just relax and have fun with it. I’m still learning, but I really enjoy it. You’ve talked a lot about loving makeup and skincare. But not really hair. What does your hair routine look like for you? Is hair more ritualistic for you, or does it feel more like an item on your to-do list? I’m constantly training, competing, sweating, traveling, and then putting it into a tight ponytail, bun, or braid, so I really have to take care of it. I’m not someone who wants to spend hours doing my hair every day, though. I like it to feel healthy, soft, and easy when I’m off the court, which is why I love Moroccanoil. My favorites are products like the Moroccanoil Treatment because they’re so easy to use and you can do a lot with them. I’m always looking for something that makes my routine easier. Your go-to on the court is usually a tight ponytail or braid. Do you have any go-to styles off the court? Yes, definitely. When I’m not playing, I love wearing my hair down and keeping it more effortless. After having my hair pulled back so much on court, it’s nice to just let it be free, so sometimes I’ll do soft waves, or just let it air dry and be natural, and I love to use the Moroccanoil Leave-In Conditioner so I can easily brush through my hair and go with hydrated, soft hair. You travel constantly between tennis and tournaments—has your gym bag evolved because of that? Definitely. When I travel, my gym bag gets bigger and bigger because I feel like I need to bring everything with me. I have all my tennis stuff, but then also skincare, hair products, makeup, supplements and extra clothes… so many things. I always think I’m going to pack less, and then somehow I bring everything anyway. If your gym bag disappeared tomorrow, what’s the first thing you’d replace? My rackets. I cannot train without them, so that would be first. Then, I would probably buy about 20 hair ties because I know I’m going to lose half of them immediately. What beauty product has earned permanent real estate in your gym bag? I always have the Moroccanoil Treatment with me. I love the smell, but also it’s just so easy to use. After practice, I’ll take a quick shower and put one or two pumps through my hair. It makes my hair feel really soft, and honestly, I love that I get nice hair and a little aromatherapy at the same time. So, it’s a win-win. What’s the one item you refuse to leave home without on a training day? Maybe obvious, but my tennis bag for sure. I have everything in there that I need for training, so if I forget it, I’m basically not going anywhere! It’s always with me. What’s the most random thing people would be surprised to find in your gym bag? Probably something for my dog, Ash. I always have something for my dog in my bag, like a little toy or treat. I’m always prepared for him! What’s one beauty product you’ve discovered recently that surprised you? I’ve really been loving the new Overnight Leave-In Mask from Moroccanoil. It’s so easy to use, and I can just put it in at night and forget about it. I use it two or three times a week, and when I wake up, my hair feels much softer and easier to manage. And I don’t have to wash it out in the morning, which I love because I don’t want to spend a lot of time on my hair. Is there one beauty or wellness product that gets you camera-ready after a workout? I love to use my Gucci lip tint. It instantly makes me feel a little more put together, especially after a workout. I can just put it on quickly, and I’m ready to go. We are always talking about trends on Cosmo. Any hair trends you would like to try? Anything you wouldn’t? Honestly, maybe someday I will change the color. I’ve had the same hair for a long time, so it could be fun to do something different. But I don’t think I’m ready to cut it short yet! Why trust Cosmopolitan? Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan with eight years of experience researching, writing, and editing hair, makeup, nail, and fragrance stories, as well as interviewing celebrities. Beth Gillette is the beauty editor at Cosmopolitan, where she covers skincare, makeup, hair, nails, and more across digital and print. She can generally be found in bright eyeshadow furiously typing her latest feature or hemming and hawing about a new product you "have to try." Prior to Cosmopolitan, she wrote and edited beauty content as an Editor at The Everygirl for four years. Follow her on Instagram for makeup selfies and a new hair 'do every few months.