TENNIS HAS ALWAYS been a great proving ground for apparel, for both performance and lifestyle purposes. Andre Agassi upended tennis style in the late ’80s in lava sneakers, denim shorts and a defiant mop of hair, cracking the door open to rebellion in a sport known for restraint. Roger Federer later swung it back toward composure, redefining on-court style with crisp whites and minimalism. Today, the pendulum has landed somewhere in between.
Tennis now sits comfortably at the intersection of performance, lifestyle and fashion. The Australian Open, in particular, has become a global stage for heat-tested functionality and summer-ready style. New Balance has been at the forefront of this development, as the AO’s Official Performance Apparel and Footwear provider since 2024.
With the brand’s 2026 Australian Open collection, it’s clear that New Balance understands modern tennis isn’t just played for points, but lived in and worn out of the stadium. The new collection blends elite-level performance with off-court versatility, and the men’s range is filled with breathable fabrics and relaxed-yet-technical silhouettes. Here are the standout pieces worth knowing.
AO26 Striped Premium Polo
The polo remains tennis’ most enduring icon, and New Balance treats it with the respect it deserves here. The Striped Premium Polo boasts clean lines, subtle striping and a fabric that holds its shape even when the heat is way up. It also features NB DRY fast-drying tech to keep you cool in the stands or during a workout.
AO26 Heathertech T-Shirt
This is New Balance flexing its technical muscle. The Heathertech T-Shirt delivers lightweight performance with moisture-wicking NB DRY tech. This makes it breathable and gives it a soft, everyday feel, meaning it’s ideal for training sessions, travel days, or long walks around Melbourne Park.
AO26 Novelty Tournament Top
Built for match play, this is where function takes centre court. The Novelty Tournament Top is engineered for airflow and sweat management and is designed to handle long rallies in peak heat.
AO26 Athletics French Terry Hoodie
The Athletics French Hoodie is cut with a relaxed, premium silhouette and built from heavyweight French terry that feels substantial without being stifling in summer evenings. It’s the kind of layer you throw on after a night session at Rod Laver, but it works just as well with tailored trousers or shorts.
AO26 Achieve Jacket & Shorts
The Achieve line is the most overtly athletic part of the range, perfect for warm-ups, cool-downs and everything in between. Clean and technical, it’s the uniform of someone who trains hard but dresses smarter.
AO26 Graphic T-Shirts
From the Aussie Graphic T-Shirt to the C’mon Aussie and Baseline tees, New Balance avoids generic merch vibes for AO26. These graphics are fun, rooted in Aussie culture and have plenty of re-wear value outside of the tournament fortnight.
