Topps, known for its iconic baseball card collections, is serving up something new for sports collectors with the launch of its first tennis-specific card line, Topps Graphite Tennis. This latest venture marks the company’s foray into the world of tennis trading cards, an exciting development in a market typically dominated by baseball and basketball offerings.
Paying tribute to the essence of tennis, Topps has aptly named the new brand “Graphite,” a nod to the material synonymous with professional tennis racquets. This choice adds a touch of science and sophistication to the cards, setting them apart from traditional sports card releases. Notably, the set introduces the Red Crystalline Refractor as a unique 1/1 parallel, mirroring the crystalline structure of graphite and celebrating the sport’s technological advancements.
Topps Graphite Tennis features a 200-card base checklist, highlighting both up-and-coming talents like Mirra Andreeva and Ben Shelton, as well as tennis legends such as Andre Agassi, Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, Billie Jean King, and Chris Evert. The inclusion of these iconic names as autograph signers adds prestige and allure to the collection, appealing to avid fans and collectors alike.
Collectors can look forward to three hits per hobby box, including a relic autograph and an additional autograph for added excitement. Each hobby box contains 20 cards and is priced at $149.99, offering enthusiasts a chance to snag exclusive inserts and rare parallels. Common Refractors are sprinkled throughout the packs, while elevated parallels such as Aqua, Green, Blue, Gold, Pink, White, and the ultra-rare Red Crystalline are limited to 200 or fewer copies.
The insert lineup in Topps Graphite Tennis extends the theme of elegance and innovation, with the inclusion of Active Metal and All Metal cards crafted from genuine metal materials. The crown jewel of the collection, the Intricate Images insert, showcases a portrait-style design and stands out as the ultimate chase card for dedicated collectors.
By diversifying its portfolio to include tennis, Topps is broadening its appeal and introducing a fresh perspective to the trading card hobby. The fusion of science, sports, and cutting-edge design in Topps Graphite Tennis creates a unique and captivating product that is sure to resonate with tennis enthusiasts and card collectors alike. As the release date draws near, anticipation is building within the hobby community, with speculation rife about the potential impact of Topps’ latest innovation on the trading card market.