Apple TV has released the official trailer for its upcoming sports comedy, “The Dink,” offering a first look at an underdog story centered around the global rise of pickleball. Directed by Josh Greenbaum and produced by Ben Stiller alongside lead actor Jake Johnson, the film explores the generational and cultural clash between traditional tennis purists and enthusiasts of the fast-growing paddle sport.
The series follows Dusty Boyd, a washed-up former tennis prodigy portrayed by Johnson. Reduced to teaching unruly children at a suburban country club managed by his rigid father, Chuck, played by Ed Harris, Dusty initially champions his father’s aggressive campaign against the pickleball players occupying the local courts. However, an unexpected physical setback shifts his perspective entirely when he suffers a severe injury that permanently ends his capacity to play tennis.
Forced into physical rehabilitation, Dusty reluctantly turns to the exact activity he previously insulted. His initial struggles with the gentler mechanics of the sport give way to genuine enjoyment, a transition aided significantly by his energetic older playing partner, Candace, portrayed by Mary Steenburgen. The official synopsis notes that as Dusty begins to thrive in this new athletic community, he finds himself “torn between two worlds” and is “forced to finally face the ghosts of his past athletic failures.”
The escalating conflict ultimately forces Dusty to defend the future of the local facility, preserve his personal identity, and compete against his childhood nemesis, real-life tennis legend Andy Roddick, who appears as himself. The production features a robust ensemble comedic cast that includes Patton Oswalt, Chloe Fineman, Chris Parnell, and Aaron Chen, alongside a supporting performance from Stiller as a medical professional who prescribes the sport to the protagonist.
Written by Sean Clements, the project was originally acquired by Apple Original Films last year and completed principal photography in Los Angeles under cinematographer Carl Herse.
The Dink is scheduled to premiere globally on July 24; see the trailer: HERE.
Editorial credit: Kathy Hutchins / Shutterstock.com
