." I simply gained and I prefer whacks," Croatian ping pong superstar Donna Vekiu0107 proclaims Friday mid-day of the US Open. She is actually merely trumped Peyton Stearns-- as well as after stretching and also showering-- her upcoming deter pre-press event is the petit Julien Farel pop-up beauty parlor concealed inside Queens's Arthur Ashe Coliseum. "I had been waiting all period to observe Julian and also acquire whacks encouraged by Margot Robbie." More than two decades ago, hairdresser Julien Farel came close to the United States Ping Pong Organization with a suggestion: a hair salon where ping pong players could possibly pop in for a hairstyle, style, or an additional kind of self-care during the United States Open, one of the most high-intensity competitions of their year. "It took them five years to say yes to me," Farel, now 16 years into the beauty parlor collaboration at the Open, tells me with a smile. "I was quite relentless due to the fact that I knew this would be actually a perk for several sportsmens. And also I corrected. Now, they expect this instant to find in as well as obtain a haircut." A number of the sporting activity's largest names have actually rested inside this beauty shop, which is just open during the course of the 2 full weeks of the competition: "I cut Rafael Nadal's hair from lengthy to quick in 2010, that took place on this site and also it was a big offer. Everyone from Billie Jean King to [Martina] Navratilova has actually sat in these chairs. Our experts had Coco below right after she gained in 2015's tournament, as well." Vekiu0107 and also her brand-new bangs, recently cut through Julien Farel.Captured through Caroline Tompkins.