The Dink Movie News: Latest Updates & More

Andy Roddick makes his feature film debut in the comedy The Dink, which arrived in theaters on July 23, and co-star Jake Johnson says the former tennis champion’s natural charisma translates surprisingly well to the big screen. “He’s always funny, but he’s on another level in this movie,” Johnson told USA Film News. “I’ve known Andy for years, and I thought I knew his range. Then he showed up on set and started riffing with all of us comedians. He held his own - and then some.”

The 102-minute film, directed by Josh Greenbaum, follows a desperate, washed-up tennis pro played by Johnson. The character, Dustin “The Hammer” Boyd, must break a personal vow and take up pickleball in order to save a struggling country club and win back his father’s respect. Roddick appears in a cameo role that the filmmakers have kept largely under wraps, but early buzz from the premiere circuit suggests his scene is one of the movie’s biggest laugh-getters.

From Center Court to Center Stage

The Dink marks a significant pivot for Roddick, who retired from professional tennis in 2012 and has since worked as a commentator, podcaster, and occasional television host. While he has made brief appearances in commercials and talk shows, this marks his first scripted film role. According to the film’s production notes, Roddick was cast after Johnson, a longtime friend, suggested him for a part that required both athletic credibility and sharp comic timing.

“The role needed someone who could move like a real athlete but also land a punchline without winking at the camera,” Greenbaum said in a statement. “Andy walked in, and within five minutes, everyone on set was cracking up. He didn’t just play a version of himself - he brought a character that felt lived-in and hilarious.”

The film’s ensemble includes Mary Steenburgen, Ed Harris, Aaron Chen, Patton Oswalt, Cleo King, Lynne Marie Stewart, and Chloe Fineman. The Dink currently holds a TMDb rating of 6.5 out of 10, with early reviews praising its lighthearted tone and the chemistry among its cast. Critics have singled out Roddick’s scene as a standout, with one reviewer calling it “a surprise comedic highlight that audiences will be quoting for weeks.”

A Comedy Built on Authenticity

Johnson, who also co-wrote the screenplay, said the idea for The Dink came from a real-life pickleball obsession that swept through his friend group during the pandemic. He wanted to make a sports comedy that didn’t mock the game itself but found humor in the competitive desperation of middle-aged men.

“Pickleball is genuinely fun, but it also brings out this weird, primal competitiveness in people who haven’t been serious about sports in years,” Johnson said. “That’s where Dustin lives. He’s a guy who was once the best at something and now he’s playing a game with a plastic ball and a kitchen line. The humor comes from the clash between his ego and the absurdity of the situation.”

Roddick’s involvement, Johnson said, grounded the film in real athletic stakes. “You can’t fake the way Andy moves,” Johnson added. “When he picks up a paddle, it looks right. And when he delivers a deadpan line, it lands even harder because you know this guy actually dominated at Wimbledon. He brings a credibility that elevates every scene he’s in.”

Box Office and Buzz

While specific box office numbers for The Dink were not available at press time, early tracking indicates a solid opening weekend, driven in part by curiosity about Roddick’s acting debut. Audiences have responded positively to the film’s mix of sports nostalgia and low-stakes comedy. Social media chatter has centered on the film’s pickleball sequences, which were choreographed with input from professional players to ensure authenticity.

Roddick, for his part, has downplayed his own performance in interviews, joking that he simply “showed up, hit some balls, and tried not to mess up the timing.” But Johnson insists the actor-athlete is underselling himself.

“Andy is a natural,” Johnson said. “He’s always funny in real life - quick, sarcastic, observant. But in this movie, he’s on another level. He commits. He’s not afraid to look ridiculous. That’s the hardest thing for a first-time actor, and he nailed it.”

The Dink is now playing in theaters nationwide.

Source: Variety