Australian Open tennis star reveals the $4 item she always flies with

She’s the Aussie tennis star who has travelled around the globe countless times and this is the item she never leaves behind.

Jet-setting across the globe to compete on courts in the UK, Europe, North America, the Middle East and Asia, tennis star Ash Barty has gone from strength to strength in the past 12 months. Having already beaten Venus Williams, she’s risen up the ranks to become our best hope at the Australian Open.

The 22-year-old Queenslander lets us in on her packing secrets — and the $4 item she’ll never leave home without.

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Tennis star Ash Barty has travelled the world more times than she can count. But there’s one thing she won’t leave Australia without. Picture: Michael Klein

MY PACKING STYLE IS …

Hyper-organised. Everything goes in the same spot, in the same pocket, every time. After years of travelling, I have a routine I stick to.

MY BIGGEST PACKING MISTAKE WAS …

Sunscreen exploding in my tennis bag. I now tape all toiletry bottles shut with sports tape.

MY TOP CARRY-ON TIP …

Keep your carry-on bags light and always take a phone charger with you on the plane.

MY ESSENTIALS FOR A COMPETITION TRIP INCLUDE …

FILA tennis clothes and shoes (I need different shoes for different surfaces); HEAD racquets, grips, string, and my tennis bag. Lastly, a tube of Vegemite to make breakfast anywhere in the world feel more like home.

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I PACK FOR A TRIP BY …

Putting my tennis essentials in first, followed by a few casual outfits. We generally chase the sun in tennis so only play in warm places — though when I am heading to Europe or the UK I always put in a few extra jumpers, just in case. If I do shopping while I’m travelling (very likely) I often need to buy another bag to bring it all home — that, or I try and sneak it into Mum’s suitcase if she’s travelling with me!

MY LUGGAGE IS …

A HEAD suitcase and HEAD tennis bag. They’re really easy to spot on the carousel and large enough to fit all my clothes and shoes in. I can be away from home for up to eight weeks, so I need large bags and several of them.

I NEVER BOARD A FLIGHT WITHOUT …

My Bose noise-cancelling headphones, because they make watching plane movies so much better, and they help me to relax and hopefully get some shut eye too.

Ash Barty interview, Paul Ewart. Bose QuietComfort 35 wireless headphones with Acoustic Noise Cancelling technology. Picture: iStock

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MY OUTFIT WHEN I TRAVEL …

Is casual and comfy — usually tracksuit pants and a hoodie.

MY WASH BAG STAPLES INCLUDE …

Toothbrush and toothpaste, shampoo and conditioner, and a face wash.

MY TOP PACKING HACK …

Is to develop a routine when you pack, so that you put everything in the same spot each time. My routine never changes, so I don’t forget anything and can pack very quickly.

I KEEP FIT ON THE ROAD BY …

Taking compression boots and TheraBands — these let me do my rehab while on the road.

MY GO-TO TRAVEL APP IS …

Tripadvisor or similar to help me find a good coffee spot. Also, Kayo Sports, which allows you to stream live sports, and Spotify, both of which help keep me entertained on the road.

The $4 tube is something tennis star Ash Barty won't fly without.

I MAKE A HOTEL ROOM FEEL LIKE HOME BY …

Unpacking my suitcase. I can’t live out of a bag, even if I’m only staying in a hotel for a night or two, I still need to unpack.

I’M DETERMINED TO IMPROVE MY PACKING HABITS BY …

Keeping things as light as possible — I’m pretty small, so carrying big bags is extra tough! Also, I need to learn how to pack for a non-tennis trip. Packing a bag with no tennis clothes is a foreign concept for me.

This article originally appeared on Escape.com.au

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