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The hushed appeal of high-stakes tennis, on display at the U.S. Open starting next week, reverberates far beyond the court’s crisp white lines and deep into living rooms, where HD televisions transmit every furrowed brow, every sigh of relief—and every flash of cherry-red nail polish. Sure, to some, the notion of an on-court beauty regimen might seem at odds with the pursuit of raw athleticism. But in an age where self-presentation is itself a nonstop sport, it’s hardly a surprise that the tennis greats swear by a handful of essentials that not only wick away sweat and protect against sun damage, but also, say, perk up lashes. After all, with pro apparel taking an increasingly fashion-forward bent, those court-tested beauty products are just another part of a work-appropriate wardrobe—albeit one for a particularly hard-hitting career. Here, five celebrated players, all fresh off the Rio Olympics and bound for New York’s Arthur Ashe Stadium, share their on-court favorites.
Serena Williams
The powerhouse American (and 2012 and 2015 Vogue cover star) ranks number one in women’s tennis.
Her picks: OPI nail polish in Pink-ing of You and Big Apple Red, along with Milani black eyeliner and Cover Girl waterproof mascara. “Playing tennis is hard because you sweat and move so much,” Williams says, “and this eyeliner and mascara don’t!”
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Mónica Puig
At this year’s Olympics, she became the first woman to win a gold medal for Puerto Rico.
Her picks: On-theme nail art (as Puig sported in Rio—“It brought me good luck!”), along with a rotating lineup of Ellesse headbands. “I play with [one of these] at all times. It feels so comfortable and keeps my hair in place, and I also think it looks good on top of that!” she says.
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Madison Keys
She’s the first American player to crack the women’s top 10 rankings since Serena Williams did it in 1999.
Her pick: Neutrogena oil-free sunscreen. “I use SPF 50 to keep my face protected from sun damage,” says Keys. “I like this product because it feels weightless on my skin and stays put even when I am sweating.”
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Petra Kvitova
The Czech native took home the bronze medal in Rio this summer.
Her picks: Essie nail polish in a bright shade that matches the day’s Nike ensemble, along with La Roche-Posay sunscreen. “I never go without it,” she says. “We spend all year playing under the bright sun, so it’s really important to protect my face with a great product that stays in place.”
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Kristina Mladenovic
The French player won the doubles tournament alongside Caroline Garcia at this year’s French Open.
Her picks: A sturdy ponytail or braid (“Comfortable to play with”) and Avène Hydrance, a lightweight cream. “I hardly wear any makeup on court—maybe a little mascara from Chanel from time to time,” she says.
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The post Serena Williams, Mónica Puig, and More Tennis Stars Share The Winning Beauty Staples They Can’t Live Without appeared first on Vogue.