Two Rare Cards Featuring Novak Djokovic Graded CSG Gem Mint 10

Novak Djokovic was a rising star in the tennis world when he was included in the Ace Authentic 2007 Straight Sets sports card set. He was already ranked in the top 20 among men’s singles tennis players, but had yet to win the first of his record-setting 38 Masters titles. Fifteen years later, Djokovic is a certified sports legend, considered by many to be the greatest tennis player of all time, and his cards from the 2007 Ace set are in high demand among collectors.

Certified Sports Guaranty® (CSG®) recently certified two Djokovic cards from the 2007 Ace Authentic Straight Sets set. Both cards are graded CSG Gem Mint 10.

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One of the cards is a Singles Autographs #SI-16 Novak Djokovic, which features Djokovic in action on the front along with his autograph on an “Ace Certified” label. The back of the card shares some of Djokovic’s accomplishments for the 2006 season, as well as listing his racquet type (Wilson Nblade) and clothing brand (Adidas). In addition to its CSG Gem Mint 10 grade, it also was given an autograph grade of CSG 8.

The other card is a #16 Novak Djokovic Gold, which is a limited edition card numbered 22 of 25. The front of the card features Djokovic in action and identifies Serbia as his home country. The back lists accomplishments from the season, including his two Grand Slam Top 10 wins. It is one of two copies of this card that CSG has certified. Both are graded CSG Gem Mint 10.

Ace Authentic is one of a handful of companies that have produced sets of sports cards dedicated to tennis. Its first sets were issued in 2005 and included a 50-card set dedicated exclusively to Russian women’s tennis superstar Maria Sharapova. Ace Authentic issued its last set in 2012, the same year in which it was acquired by Leaf Trading Cards.

Djokovic is one of only 50 tennis players who were given cards in the 2007 Ace Authentic Straight Sets set. The others include Roger Federer, who was ranked No. 1 for the 2006 season, Rafael Nadal, who was ranked No. 2, and Andy Roddick, who was ranked No. 6. The set also includes a card for Caroline Wozniacki that is considered her rookie card. The #16 Djokovic “Materials” card, which includes a swatch from a jersey personally worn by Djokovic, is considered the most valuable card in the set.

Novak Djokovic ended the 2021 season, which was his 19th as a professional, ranked No. 1 in the world in men’s singles tennis. Since 2007, he has been ranked in the top three every year except 2017, when he missed nearly half of the season with an elbow injury. He was ranked No. 1 for seven of those seasons. During 2011, Djokovic had what is considered by some to be the greatest season ever by a men’s tennis pro, during which he had a 41-match winning streak. His titles include 21 Grand Slam victories, a record that is surpassed only by Rafael Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam titles.

CSG’s Population Report, which can be found at CSGcards.com/population-report, provides information on the dozens of different Novak Djokovic cards that CSG has graded, including stats on the number submitted for each card and the grades that they received.

Related Links

• CSG Population Report: 2007 Ace Authentic Straight Sets
• CSG Registry: Novak Djokovic Player Sets