NEW YORK -- Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open is home to unique intricacies.
Subway noise can sometimes be heard during quiet moments of play. A massive retractable roof can turn the stadium into a sound dome. Of course, there's the capacity of over 23,000 seats, making it the largest tennis stadium in the world.
But tucked away on the third floor of the players' lounge inside Arthur Ashe is the exclusive, players-only beauty salon run by Julien Farel.
The renowned stylist boasts three locations in New York City, Palm Beach and South Hampton. For the past 18 years, from late August to early September, Farel has brought his salon to Ashe, styling or cutting the hair of Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Coco Gauff and Billie Jean King.
With a daily staff of seven to 10 people, Farel told ESPN that about 500 athletes and coaches come through the walk-in only salon -- which is small even for a NYC apartment -- each year.
"It's like with people you develop a relationship, right? After that it's not just about the hair," he told ESPN. "It's about looking forward to seeing the people year after year."
Farel first pitched the USTA with the idea for a salon in 2002. He moved to America from France, where he operated a similar service at Roland Garros. The USTA hesitated as Farel had a small salon at the time, but he kept pitching.
Five years later, it gave in, Farel crediting his mindset of not taking no for an answer.
"I had this old girlfriend of mine in the past who told me, 'with you Farel, if we throw you out by the door, you come back by the window,'" he said. "And it's just the way it is. There is no secret in business."
It opened at Ashe in 2007, and in the first year player approval only built its reputation and brand.
Nadal led to bigger names coming through. Maria Sharapova stopped by in the past. Even former players such as Martina Navratilova and Mary Joe Fernandez, who have access to the area, use the salon. Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka and Donna Vekic are regulars. Sabalenka even went after winning the tournament in 2024.
The services focus on mostly making the players "camera ready," Farel explained. That means only haircut, style, nails, makeup and some tweezing. Products, such as coloring, are not allowed until after the tournament. His other salons offer a more expansive package.
In the New York heat, Farel keeps in mind the importance of hydrating athletes' hair and scalp. His team will use very specific shampoo and conditioner with hydraulic acid and various vitamins to ensure they get their hydration.
The US Open isn't the only major to have its own salon exclusively for players. All of the other three -- Wimbledon, Roland Garros and Australian Open -- have their own, too. However, Farel's popup might have been the spark for a Grand Slam victory.
Nadal first came to Farel in 2008 and returned the following year. In 2010, he approached Farel with a task only for the trusted: cutting his trademark long hair to a short style. At the time, the US Open marked the only Grand Slam Nadal hadn't won. Short hair could make the difference.
Farel obliged and the rest was history -- Nadal went on to win his first US Open that year, defeating Djokovic in the final. The famously superstitious Nadal wouldn't skip out on Farel again, who called that moment his "biggest reward."
"Then I became his lucky charm. After every single year, he would come back," Farel said. "And then we started to really build a relationship. More than just tennis, but more about friendliness."
There hasn't been similar luck so far with another star tennis player from Spain: Carlos Alcaraz.
Farel was in line to cut Alcaraz's hair before the 2025 tournament. However, Farel missed it because his plane was late. Alcaraz then had his brother buzz his hair, turning heads early on at the tournament with mixed reviews.
This year, the Spaniard went the other way and is playing the tournament with longer hair, weaving around on the court. Farel approached Alcaraz's team about a haircut, but it said: "he doesn't want to touch one hair."
"And I say, 'we can reshape it to make sure it's not so boxy and bulky and thick,'" he said. "He doesn't want to touch it. I say, 'well, we'll see,'" -- for now, taking no for an answer.
The No. 1-ranked men's player Alexander Zverev is another Farel is hoping to cut. He also has his eyes on the hair of another young Spanish player, Rafael Jodar.
Zverev often sports a bun with Farel saying he's never seen Zverev's hair down and that he wants to "cut his hair off." But, he can only offer the services to players with them having the final say.
"It's a buildup process. You can't push it. You can't force it," he added. "As I said, we give it. If it's good, it's good. If it's not, it's not good."
But when they stop by, players understand the luxury of Farel's services, specifically the haircut.
"Most of them get haircuts because it's free. So for them, it's a perk," he said. "And they know it's a perk because people actually know how to cut hair. Not just from the barber or from the corner."
And as the saying goes: "You look good, you feel good, you play good." For players at the US Open each year, looking good likely means going to Farel.
