They say pressure makes diamonds, but in the high-stakes, high-humidity cauldron of Flushing Meadows, it makes something far more resilient: frizz-free, competition-proof, tightly secured ponytails and braided buns. For nearly two decades, celebrity hairstylist Julien Farel has occupied a unique intersection in the worlds of elite sports and luxury beauty. As the official hairstylist of the US Open for 18 consecutive years, the French-born visionary has quietly revolutionized how the world’s most recognizable athletes present themselves when the cameras—and the competitive stakes—are at their absolute peak.
While the casual observer might view a tennis player’s slicked-back bun or braided ponytail as a mere afterthought, Farel treats each style as an exercise in high-performance engineering. In a landscape where athletes are no longer just competitors vying for Grand Slam titles, but global luxury brands commanding massive sponsorship deals, the importance of aesthetic perfection cannot be overstated. From crafting Naomi Osaka’s avant-garde, ribbon-threaded braids to outfitting Aryna Sabalenka’s "killer" court-side armor, Farel operates like a Formula 1 pit crew chief—delivering speed, absolute precision, and invisible endurance under blistering summer heat.
This comprehensive report examines Farel’s enduring legacy at the US Open, exploring the rigorous science of athletic hair styling, the intricate collaboration with tennis royalty, and how confidence on the court begins long before the first serve.
Detailed Chronology: A Season in Motion
To understand the magnitude of Julien Farel’s operation during the final stretch of summer, one needs only to look at his calendar. Five minutes into a conversation, it is not the stylist who appears fatigued by an exhausting travel itinerary, but the listener. Farel’s late-summer schedule reads like a masterclass in international jet-setting and elite salon management.
"I am actually in the New York salon today," Farel shares with characteristic boundless energy. "Then, I will go to the Southampton salon tomorrow night. And then next week, I will go to the Palm Beach salon. After that, I start the US Open, so that’s going to be the cherry on top. Then New York Fashion Week, and a wedding in Monte Carlo late September. So it’s going to be an active end of summer."
Active, indeed. Over the past 18 years, Farel has institutionalized his presence at the US Open, transforming a temporary pop-up salon into an essential institutional hub for players, coaches, and celebrities alike. While his resume boasts an impressive roster of traditional Hollywood heavyweights and cultural icons—including Martha Stewart, Teyana Taylor, and Bethenny Frankel—his tenure at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center remains his ultimate professional crucible.
Unlike red carpets or high-fashion magazine covers, which require static, sculptural perfection meant to be captured in a single, frozen moment of photographic time, the tennis court demands what Farel defines as "engineered movement." A red-carpet hairstyle only needs to look breathtaking for a few minutes; a tennis hairstyle must survive three, four, or five grueling sets of high-intensity competition. It must endure profuse sweat, relentless direct sunlight, and the suffocating humidity of a New York August—all without a single strand coming loose to obstruct a player’s vision or compromise their focus.
Supporting Context & Metrics: The Science of "Engineered Movement"
The relationship between athletic performance and psychological confidence is deeply symbiotic. As Farel astutely observes, the pressure isn’t just on the athletes; it is embedded in the psychological boost that comes from looking and feeling immaculate.
"Forget about the athlete. What about you? If your hair doesn’t look good, nothing will feel good, right? They’re people just like you and me. Confidence is everything."
In the modern era of professional tennis, athletes are formidable corporate entities. Their visual presentation is meticulously curated to attract and maintain lucrative multi-million-dollar partnerships with global fashion and beauty powerhouses. However, the physical constraints of elite sports severely limit hairstyle options. Elaborate updos or loose cascading waves are entirely out of the question. Instead, players are restricted to sleek ponytails, tightly braided buns, and secure half-up styles.
Within these strict boundaries, Farel and his team unleash a masterclass in hidden artistry. The process relies on a sophisticated cocktail of proprietary formulas, particularly from his eponymous label, designed to lock every hair cuticle into place.
The regime begins long before a player sits down in the salon chair on match day. Farel utilizes a proactive defense strategy by shipping bottles of his signature Restore hair treatment directly to clients.
The Non-Foaming Advantage: Unlike traditional shampoos that can strip moisture and disrupt the scalp’s natural barrier, Restore is a non-foaming cleansing treatment.
Environmental Defense: It actively fights high humidity while simultaneously hydrating the scalp, smoothing the hair cuticle, and neutralizing frizz at the root before any mechanical tension or styling is applied.
Game Day Execution: By the time the player arrives for their match-day appointment, the canvas has been fully prepped, leaving Farel’s team to focus exclusively on molding, fastening, and securing the style for battle.
Official Statements: Portraits of Tennis Royalty
Working with the titans of tennis requires a nuanced understanding of each player’s distinct personality, brand identity, and psychological approach to the game. Farel breaks down his experiences with some of the sport’s greatest competitors:
Naomi Osaka: The Vanguard of Court-Side Couture
In earlier decades, tennis hairstyles were purely utilitarian—designed with little intention beyond keeping strands out of the player’s face. Naomi Osaka has single-handedly upended this tradition, emerging as a trailblazer for statement-making court ensembles. From gilded tulle gowns at Roland Garros to kimono-inspired kits celebrating her Japanese heritage at Wimbledon, Osaka treats every tournament as a runway.
For her hair, Farel keeps the core structure clean while adding graphic, sculptural accents. Whether peppering beads around a braided bun or anchoring red rosettes to a high-octane braided ponytail, the synergy between fashion and hair is undeniable. "She’s always going to have a look, and it’s all about outfit choice and combining it with hair—hiding a ribbon or something intricate," Farel notes.
Serena Williams: The Intentional Fashionista
As arguably the greatest tennis player of all time, Serena Williams approached every match with unmatched intentionality. "Serena is a fashionista," Farel reflects. "Sometimes, I would wonder, ‘Oh my God, how are you going to play tennis in that fancy stuff?’ But the reality is, that was who she was—intentional always. She’s not only playing for herself; she’s playing for the entire brand she represents."
Given Williams’ naturally curlier hair texture, Farel leaned heavily into braids, buns, and high ponytails. To protect her hair from relentless sun exposure and heat, Farel implemented specialized technical safeguards:
UVA/UVB Protection: Incorporating hair products infused with ultraviolet filters to shield strands from oxidative stress caused by hours under the blazing sun.
Natural Oils: Utilizing lightweight, humidity-resistant natural oils to lock ponytails in place without weighing the hair down.
Scent-Free Formulations: Ensuring all styling gels and finishing sprays are completely fragrance-free to prevent stinging or irritation should sweat cause product runoff into the eyes during a critical tiebreak.
Venus Williams: Elegance in Motion
Described by Farel as exceptionally smooth, lean, and possessing an innate grace, Venus Williams approaches her personal styling with understated sophistication. While younger players often experiment with fresh trends, veterans like Venus rely on streamlined, classic silhouettes that prioritize absolute firmness and timeless elegance.
Aryna Sabalenka: The duality of Power and Softness
Aryna Sabalenka presents one of the most fascinating psychological studies on the tour. On the court, she embodies raw power, fierce intensity, and relentless aggression.
"Aryna carries the power, anger, and aggression. I think she picked up a little bit of Serena’s spirit. Because she works so much with strength, her hair has to be secure; those braids have to be almost architectural. It has to feel as if it’s [as stiff as] a building, and it will stay," Farel explains.
Yet, her off-court persona is entirely inverted. The moment she steps away from the stadium lights, Sabalenka trades her "killer" architectural braids for soft, flowing waves and voluminous curls. "She tells me, ‘I need to look like a killer,’" Farel says with a smile, highlighting the psychological armor that professional athletes require.
Coco Gauff: Effortless Energy
In stark contrast to the architectural intensity required by some of her peers, American star Coco Gauff brings an organic, low-key vitality to the game. "You get somebody like Coco Gauff, who is much more natural and has this effortless energy," Farel observes. "She likes her hair to feel exactly that as well; she’s not somebody who’s going to ask you for something impossible. She’s not going to the court to show off, but to be the best with her game."
Future Outlook: The Evolution of Athletic Beauty
As Julien Farel marks his milestone 18th year at the US Open, the landscape of sports beauty continues to evolve at a blistering pace. The convergence of professional sports, high fashion, and digital media means that athletes are perpetually in the spotlight, whether they are walking through the player tunnel or holding up the championship trophy.
Farel’s pioneering work has permanently elevated the standard for athletic hairstyling, proving that high performance and high fashion are not mutually exclusive. By treating hair care as an essential pillar of athletic preparation—combining scalp health, UV protection, and architectural engineering—he has set a benchmark that future generations of stylists will follow.
As tennis enters a new golden age driven by dynamic personalities and trendsetting fashion statements, Julien Farel remains firmly at the baseline, scissors in hand, ensuring that no athlete’s look ever ends in a fault.
