Story perspectives

‘The Dink’ Stumbles as Pickleball Comedy Falls Flat

7/26/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Dink, a U.S. film, follows Dusty Boyd (Jake Johnson) who turns to pickleball after a wrist injury.
The film is directed by Josh Greenbaum, written by Sean Clements, and features Ed Harris, Ben Stiller, Chris Parnell, Mary Steenburgen and cameo appearances by Andy Roddick and John McEnroe.
Reviewers say the comedy relies on the actors’ personalities rather than strong jokes, falling short of its premise.

History

Historical Context

Pickleball originated in 1965 on Bainbridge Island, Washington, when Joel Pritchard, Bill Bell, and Barney McCallum improvised a hybrid game for their children. The USA Pickleball Association, founded in 2005, recorded 4.8 million active players by 2023, reflecting a 21 percent annual growth rate in the sport. Today's comedy film The Dink, directed by Josh Greenbaum and starring Jake Johnson, mirrors that surge by centering on a wrist-injured protagonist who discovers pickleball. The parallel suggests that mainstream media will further legitimize pickleball, potentially driving sponsorships and facility investments comparable to tennis’s 1970s boom.

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Story summary

The Dink, a U.S. film, follows Dusty Boyd (Jake Johnson) who turns to pickleball after a wrist injury.
The film is directed by Josh Greenbaum, written by Sean Clements, and features Ed Harris, Ben Stiller, Chris Parnell, Mary Steenburgen and cameo appearances by Andy Roddick and John McEnroe.
Reviewers say the comedy relies on the actors’ personalities rather than strong jokes, falling short of its premise.

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