The Dink follows a washed-up tennis pro, played by Jake Johnson, who reluctantly finds himself forced into playing pickleball after an injury. But, no surprise, he slowly grows into the sport and eventually finds himself torn between two competing worlds. It’s an underdog comedy built around a sport we know and love.

What stands out in the trailer is how well it balances humor, charm, and relatability. While watching, I couldn’t help but think of the tennis players I’ve met who started out with the same attitude as Johnson’s character, only to eventually fall in love with pickleball. The comedy may lean a bit absurd at times, but it still feels grounded, like it’s coming from people who actually understand the sport and the stereotypes that come with it.

I also really appreciated the attention to detail on court. The players are using recognizable paddles you actually see in rec play—Selkirk, JOOLA, Franklin, Six Zero—rather than the generic, brightly colored props that usually show up in sports movies and make everything feel fake. That small choice goes a long way in making the action feel authentic.

That level of care gives me a lot of confidence in what’s coming next. If the rest of the movie follows this same approach, we could be in for something that really gets it right.

Pickleball is incredibly close to my heart, as it is for millions of Americans, and I’ll admit I’m always a bit cautious whenever Hollywood or celebrities take a swing at it. Ever since pickleball exploded in popularity around 2020, it’s often been the punchline. Just last week, even tennis legend John McEnroe dismissed it as “stupid” during the French Open.

So when I first heard that Ben Stiller was making a pickleball comedy, my concern was that it might lean into those same clichés or end up mocking the sport.

Instead, the trailer quickly put those worries to rest. Rather than undercutting pickleball, it actually feels like it celebrates it in a way that comes across as genuine and grounded. You can tell this isn’t just an outside perspective punching down. I’d hope the people behind a pickleball film are at least somewhat familiar with the game themselves.

According to Apple TV, The Dink is being positioned in the same comedic lane as Dodgeball, Talladega Nights, Happy Gilmore, and 80 for Brady, so expectations for laughs are high.

The film hits Apple TV on July 24, and I’ve already marked my calendar. I’m looking forward to seeing it. 

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