Quick answer: Court Sportswear is one brand that makes tennis shirts in both a crew neck and a collared cut, on the same polyester performance knit — so polo vs crew neck is a dress-code and comfort decision, not a fabric one. Take the crew neck for public courts and league night. Take a collar where a club dress code asks for one. Start with Victory Pose ($26.95), Tennis Pilsner Club (Members & Guests) ($26.95) and Game Set Match ($26.95).
For what it is worth, we picked a side. Here is we print the crew and not the polo — starting with Tennis Pilsner Crest (Est. 1961) at $26.95.
Moisture-wicking performance poly · made to order · Free US shipping over $50
Walk into any tennis club and you'll see the same split: half the players in polos, half in crew necks. Both work. But depending on how you play, where you play, and what you prioritize, one might serve you better than the other.
What we actually print for this
We only make one side of this comparison. Everything we print is a crew neck -- there is no Court Sportswear polo. These three are the performance crew, on the A4 N3142 blank.
Tennis Pilsner Crest (Est. 1961) — Men's Tennis Performance Tee$26.95
Tennis Craft Brew — Men's Tennis Performance Tee$26.95
Game Set Match — Men's Tennis Performance Tee$26.95
Printed to order in the USA. Free US shipping on orders $50+, $4.90 flat below that.
Ready to gear up? browse the men's tennis t-shirts.
Here's an honest breakdown from people who've tested both through hundreds of matches.
The Case for the Performance Crew Neck
Crew necks used to mean casual. Not anymore. Modern performance crew necks use the same moisture-wicking polyester blends as any high-end polo — they just skip the collar.
Advantages:
Freedom of movement. No collar means nothing bunching against your neck during serves or overhead smashes. For players with a full serving motion, this difference is immediately noticeable.
Cooler in heat. Collars trap heat around your neck — the area where your body radiates the most warmth. In outdoor summer play above 85°F, a collarless design runs noticeably cooler.
Modern aesthetic. The tenniscore trend has pushed tennis fashion toward cleaner, more streamlined silhouettes. Crew necks fit this look naturally and transition seamlessly from court to errands to happy hour.
Unique designs. Polos tend to come in solid colors or simple stripes. Crew necks open up the full canvas for bold graphics, artistic designs, and shirts that express personality. Check our full collection for examples of what's possible when you're not limited by a collar.
What we'd actually wear for this
The Sub Request — Funny Tennis Unisex Teefrom $25.95
One Hander, No Regrets — Funny Tennis Unisex Teefrom $25.95
Dawn Patrol Austin — Funny Tennis Unisex Teefrom $25.95
See the whole shelf: all men's tennis t-shirts.
Free US shipping over $50, $4.90 flat below it.
The Case for the Polo
Club dress codes. Some private clubs and USTA tournaments still require collared shirts. If you play at facilities with dress codes, you need at least one polo in rotation.
Sun protection. A popped collar provides marginal UV protection for the back of your neck — relevant for multi-hour outdoor sessions.
Traditional look. If you prefer classic tennis aesthetics, polos deliver that heritage feel that connects to the sport's history.
What Actually Matters: The Fabric
Here's what most players get wrong — they focus on collar style when the fabric matters ten times more. A cheap polo in heavy cotton will underperform a quality crew neck in moisture-wicking polyester every single time.
What to look for in any performance tennis shirt:
Moisture-wicking technology. The fabric should pull sweat away from your skin to the outer surface where it evaporates. This keeps you dry and prevents that heavy, clingy feeling by the third set.
Weight under 5oz per yard. Lighter fabrics breathe better and don't weigh you down as you sweat. Our performance shirts at Court Sportswear use 4.2oz moisture-wicking polyester — light enough to forget you're wearing it.
Four-way stretch. Your shirt needs to move with you through serves, volleys, and those desperate lunges for drop shots. Rigid fabrics restrict your range and cause chafing during extended play.
Anti-microbial treatment. Nobody talks about this, but it matters. Anti-microbial properties prevent odor buildup, meaning your shirt stays fresher through long matches and between washes.
The Verdict
For most recreational players, league competitors, and weekend warriors, a performance crew neck is the better choice. It's cooler, more comfortable, more versatile, and gives you access to designs that actually show personality on court.
Keep a polo for club play with dress codes, but make crew necks your daily driver.
Our men's performance collection features crew necks built specifically for court sports — moisture-wicking, lightweight, and designed with full-range movement in mind. From clean solid colors to our popular Beer & Tennis and Retro Gaming lines, there's something for every player's style.
Shop the Look
Men's Tennis T-Shirts we make
Moisture-wicking performance poly · Free US shipping over $50.
Buying for someone else, or for the whole roster? League and team gifts is the short list — printed in the USA, made to order, free US shipping over $50.
Which Brands Have Polo Vs Crew Neck for Tennis
This is the part of the question this guide did not answer directly, so here it is with live prices. The all mens t shirts collection holds 249 purchasable designs, starting at $3.95. Shipping is flat $4.90 and free over $50, so one $3.95 piece is $8.85 delivered and any two-piece order ships free.
- Game Set Match — Funny Tennis Sticker — from $3.95
- Sandbagger Pilsner — Vintage Beer Can Tennis Sticker — from $5.95
- Continental Grip Lager — Vintage Beer Can Tennis Sticker — from $5.95
See the full all mens t shirts collection → Or shop by how you play: Texas tennis players who crossed over from tennis to pickleball. Production is 3-5 business days and delivery is 5-8 days door to door, because nothing is made until the order exists.
The same crewneck logic applies to the warm layer: the tennis sweatshirts have no collar or hood to sit awkwardly under a jacket.
Whichever neckline you land on, the fabric question outlives it. The moisture-wicking tennis shirts are the same choice narrowed to what dries between games.
Shop this guide
Three tennis shirts to start with
Florida Rules Of Play — Funny Tennis Unisex Teefrom $25.95
Mixed Doubles Diplomacy — Funny Tennis Unisex Teefrom $25.95
Third Set, Third Wind — Funny Tennis Unisex Teefrom $25.95
See the whole shelf: all men's tennis t-shirts.
Free US shipping over $50, $4.90 flat below it.
Questions this page answers
which brands have polo vs crew neck for tennis?
Court Sportswear makes both a crew-neck performance tee and a polo on the same 4.0 oz UPF-rated moisture-wicking knit, so the fabric is identical and the decision is cut and dress code. Choose the crew neck for public courts, recreational play and leagues with no collar rule; choose the polo where a club or tournament requires a collar. Crew-neck performance tees start at $25.95.
is a crew neck or a polo better for tennis in hot weather?
The crew neck, marginally, and only because of the collar. On the same fabric weight both breathe identically across the body, but a soaked collar holds water against the neck and stops sitting flat. In heat, choose on fit: a relaxed cut through the chest and underarm moves more air than any collar style. If the dress code requires a collar, a polo in a 4.0 oz performance knit is not a meaningful penalty.
