Game, Set, Snip: Everyone is Seeking an Appointment at This Ultra-Exclusive U.S. Open Hair Salon

      On day four of the U.S. Open, I'm taken to the most coveted location on the grounds—not the exclusive President's Suite or the new Courtside Club at Arthur Ashe Stadium, but instead the private players' lounge where French hairstylist Julien Farel is putting the finishing touches on a haircut. This year marks the 17th year of his pop-up salon, where Farel and his skilled team of stylists, barbers, braiders, and manicurists work tirelessly to ensure players feel and look ready for the tournament. The atmosphere in the lounge is truly buzzing with energy. (I’ve heard that all appointments for the first day of the Open filled up in just 15 minutes.) "It took me five years to secure the contract," Farel reveals as we step away from the loud noise of blow-dryers. Though he has permanent roots in New York City with his self-named salon on the Upper East Side, he has always felt a strong connection to the sports world and aims to combine his two passions. "As a child, I wanted to be a professional soccer player. I ski, I race, and I play tennis—that's how I grew up," he reminisces. "When I'm engaged in sports, I don’t feel like I'm working, and when I'm doing hair, I don't feel like I'm working either." And he emphasizes that in terms of performing well on the court (or clay or grass), haircare plays a significant role.

      Tennis is a very visual sport, where personal style and athletic performance are increasingly intertwined. Players aim for elegant outfits that complement their refined backhands, extending to their hairstyles and manicures. "They’re always in front of the cameras. They want to look good," Farel points out. With face-framing layers or intricately styled braids, "you can really change how someone perceives themselves." Additionally, being pampered before a match may help players clear their minds—perhaps that's why Grand Slam champion Coco Gauff recently chose an Hermès pedicure at the salon prior to her match. "We take care of their beauty and wellness, and they handle the tennis," he explains. It’s evident that he feels a great responsibility towards the players’ well-being, as he warmly greets everyone who walks by with a nod and a smile.

      However, achieving the right balance in hairstyling among form and function can be challenging, especially with humidity, heat, and sweat involved. This is why Farel likens himself to an architect, creating visually appealing yet highly practical designs. For instance, while layers add dimension and structure, he prefers to cut soft, well-blended face-framing pieces (also known as “ghost layers”) that players can easily tie back into a ponytail or secure with a headband. "It's different from a hairstyle meant for a fashion show or photo shoot," Farel clarifies. "In tennis, these players are focused on winning matches. [I need to] ensure their hair looks good when they’re not playing, while also being practical during their matches." Convenience also extends to styling products; in addition to his own haircare line, Farel uses strong-hold gels and pastes to "lock" the hair in place and ensure it "ages well" throughout the match. Alcohol-free formulations are essential as well, since that ingredient can sting when sweat mixed with hair products inevitably drips into players' eyes.

      Farel's pop-up salon serves as a serene escape from the chaos and camera flashes, acting as a pre- or post-match ritual for many athletes. Take tennis legend Rafael Nadal, for example, who revealed a dramatic short hairstyle (thanks to Farel, of course) back in 2010, leading him to win the men’s singles championship. "After that, every year Rafa would come to get his haircut. I became his good-luck charm," quips Farel. Then there's 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, who Farel says often manages to sneak in for a quick trim even just an hour before a match, appearing completely calm and self-assured. After winning her Round 3 match last year, Donna Vekić also rushed to Farel’s salon for a trendy set of wispy curtain bangs before addressing the press. (This year, however, no bangs for Vekić as they likely wouldn’t suit her new, much shorter hairstyle.)

      This year, everyone's talking about Carlos Alcaraz's haircut, the 22-year-old world No. 2 player who showed up for his first match with a buzz cut—shaved by his brother after a failed attempt at trimming his hair. To be honest, the new hairstyle is quite practical ("I thought, 'I guess it makes you more aerodynamic,'" world No. 17 Frances Tiafoe remarked to reporters upon seeing it), and it seems to be in vogue, as Farel notes that many male players