Inside the US Open's Exclusive Player Salon Run by Julien Farel

Julien Farel has operated a player-exclusive salon inside Arthur Ashe Stadium for 18 years, serving stars like Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

Located on the third floor of the players' lounge at Arthur Ashe Stadium, the Julien Farel salon serves approximately 500 athletes and coaches during the US Open each year. Farel, who first pitched the USTA in 2002 before opening the space in 2007, manages a daily staff of seven to 10 people. The walk-in only facility offers haircuts, styling, nails, makeup, and tweezing, though chemical products like hair coloring are prohibited until after the tournament concludes.

Rafael Nadal famously utilized the service in 2010 to cut his long hair into a short style before winning his first US Open title by defeating Novak Djokovic in the final. Following that victory, Nadal became a regular client, joining other frequent visitors such as Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, and Donna Vekic. Sabalenka visited the salon following her tournament victory in 2024. While the service is free for players, Farel noted that some athletes, including Carlos Alcaraz and Alexander Zverev, have recently declined or missed opportunities for haircuts at the site.

To combat the New York heat, the salon utilizes specialized shampoos and conditioners containing hyaluronic acid and vitamins to hydrate the hair and scalps of the competitors. While all four Grand Slam tournaments—including Wimbledon, Roland Garros, and the Australian Open—provide exclusive player salons, Farel’s operation remains a central fixture of the New York event’s player amenities.