Topps, a heavyweight in the trading card industry, is making strides by delving into the world of tennis collectibles. The company’s foray into this lesser-explored territory comes in the form of Topps Graphite Tennis, a brand new addition aimed at enticing tennis enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Scheduled for release on December 18, 2024, Topps Graphite Tennis takes its name from the material that underpins professional tennis racquets – graphite. This nod to the sport’s technological foundation offers a clever and innovative twist to the product line. Diverging from the norm, the collection features the exclusive 1/1 Red Crystalline Refractor instead of the conventional Superfractor, mirroring graphite’s crystalline structure with finesse.
The set comprises a diverse 200-card base checklist, showcasing emerging talents like Mirra Andreeva and Ben Shelton. Promising three hits per hobby box, including a relic autograph and an additional autograph, the collection has pulled out all the stops to cater to die-hard fans. Notable tennis legends such as Andre Agassi, Bjorn Borg, Pete Sampras, Billie Jean King, and Chris Evert headline the list of signers, elevating the collection’s appeal and desirability.
Each hobby box, priced at $149.99, contains 20 cards, with common Refractors sprinkled throughout. Rarer parallels like Aqua, Green, Blue, Gold, Pink, White, and the highly coveted Red Crystalline are limited to 200 copies or less, adding an element of exclusivity to the mix. The insert lineup further enhances the collection’s allure, with offerings such as Active Metal and All Metal cards crafted from authentic metal. The pièce de résistance, the Intricate Images insert, features a portrait-style design and stands as the ultimate prize for avid collectors.
By introducing Topps Graphite Tennis, the brand ventures into uncharted waters, blending the realms of science, sport, and sophistication. Whether this bold move will be a smash hit or a miss remains to be seen, but the buzz surrounding the release is undeniable. Topps Graphite Tennis is poised to make a mark in the trading card community, offering a unique and captivating experience for tennis aficionados and collectors alike.
