The Dink Trailer Just Came Out. Here's Our Thoughts.

Ben Stiller's The Dink is almost here, and the latest trailer gives us our best look yet at pickleball's first major Hollywood comedy. From Andy Roddick's hilarious cameo to tennis-versus-pickleball rivalries and plenty of inside jokes, we break down everything you may have missed before the film premieres on Apple TV+ on July 24.

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6/25/20262 min read

Expect a full review after The Dink drops on Apple TV, July 24th.

“An epidemic is sweeping across our once great nation,” one older gentleman says to start the trailer. “Pickleball, bitch,” responds another lady. The movie will follow Dusty Hammer, a washed-up teaching tennis pro who’s extra goofy, extra funky. After getting a bad wrist injury from tennis, Hammer’s doctor prescribes him something for the pain. And that something is–you guessed it–pickleball.

As we could expect, the movie details something we all know well–tennis and pickleball haters. Based on the premise that–at least to outsiders–pickleball is a problem to be solved, we see an eccentric bunch of characters come together around the social game.

“I know pickleball is sorta dorky,” Ben Stiller’s character says, “but it’s the fastest road back to tennis for you. In the next clip, Jake Johnson (Hammer) is seen on the court with three women learning the rules of the game. As time goes on, Hammer grows to love the sport, developing friendships and new skills.


So, what's The Dink all about?

The Wandering Pickle thinks... 100% yes. If you're already a player, this movie will revitalize your love for the game.

In the trailer, we see some of the typical pickleball personalities: grunting doubles teams with matching pickleball shirts, older ladies with good dinks and great visors, and serious players with high-level gear and intensity. Andy Roddick even makes a cameo to say a controversial truth(?): “I get it now. It’s like tennis, but easy.


Written by Sean Clements, The Dink seems to be the feel-good, uplifting summer movie that pickleball has been waiting for. At The Wandering Pickle, we’re counting down the days. The Dink could become pickleball's first true pop culture moment—a movie that lovingly roasts the sport while reminding us exactly why millions of people can't stop playing.



The Trailer Itself

Ben Stiller’s The Dink comes to Apple TV on July 24th. Featuring a stacked cast with names such as Jake Johnson, Mary Steenburger, Chloe Fineman, and Stiller himself, in addition to cameos by pickleballers and tennis players such as Andy Roddick, this sports comedy is set to shake the pickle world. And guess what–the latest trailer just dropped. Let’s break it down.

Is It Gonna Be Good? And... The Surprise Cameo From **** *********