Actor Jake Johnson is starring in a new Apple TV+ sports comedy titled "The Dink," focusing on the rise of pickleball [1].

The film arrives as the sport has seen a massive surge in popularity across the U.S. By capturing this cultural shift, the movie aims to blend sports tropes with the specific eccentricities of the pickleball community [2].

Johnson plays a tennis professional who eventually converts to pickleball [3]. He said he spoke about the role and the production's approach to the sport during an appearance on The Daily Show [1].

The project features a high-profile creative team. Ben Stiller and director Josh Greenbaum are attached to the film, while Mary Steenburgen co-stars alongside Johnson [2, 4].

Pickleball was originally invented in 1965 [2]. While it remained a niche activity for decades, it became the fastest-growing sport in America starting in 2021 [2]. The film seeks to satirize this sudden explosion in popularity and the tension between traditional tennis and the newer sport [3].

During his promotional appearances, Johnson also shared anecdotes about his background in improv and his personal life, including his daughters, and his podcast [1]. The movie was slated for a 2025 release on Apple TV+ [5].

Recent reports from July 16 highlighted Johnson's transition into the role of a tennis pro turned convert [3]. The production leverages the comedic chemistry of the cast to explore the competitive nature of the sport's growing fanbase [1, 2].

“The film focuses on a tennis professional who converts to pickleball.”

The production of 'The Dink' reflects a broader trend in entertainment where streaming platforms capitalize on viral real-world hobbies to attract diverse demographics. By casting established comedic actors and focusing on a sport that bridges generational gaps, Apple TV+ is positioning the film to appeal to both traditional sports fans and the specific, rapidly expanding pickleball community.