Former tennis world number one, Andy Roddick, has garnered significant praise for his acting debut in the Apple TV+ sports comedy, 'The Dink'. The film, which premiered on 24 July, sees Roddick playing a fictionalised version of himself alongside a cast that includes Jake Johnson, Ed Harris, and Mary Steenburgen.
Johnson, who portrays the lead character Dusty Boyd, a former tennis prodigy who turns to pickleball, admitted that casting Roddick was initially a risk. Speaking at the film's premiere, Johnson told Variety's Marc Malkin that the decision to cast a genuine athlete rather than a comedic actor pretending to be one was a gamble that ultimately 'crushed it'. Johnson recounted Roddick's initial self-deprecating remarks about his acting ability, but assured him, 'You're the guy. You're the guy.'
The concept to offer Roddick the role reportedly came from producer Ben Stiller. Apple announced Roddick's involvement in the film in September 2024, confirming that fellow tennis legend John McEnroe would also feature as himself. The film follows Boyd's reluctant foray into pickleball after an injury, as he attempts to regain his father's respect.
Filming opposite Roddick presented unique challenges, according to Johnson. In an earlier interview with Decider, Johnson explained that while the pickleball scenes were choreographed, they still had to play every point as scripted. He highlighted Roddick's ability to precisely place the ball, a skill Johnson admitted he lacked, leading to 'a lot of anxiety' on his part during filming.
Johnson also light-heartedly suggested that Roddick's on-screen disdain for pickleball mirrored his real-life sentiments. He joked that Roddick views pickleball as 'just like tennis, but worse, and easier,' aligning with the character's persona in the film. Roddick, a highly decorated tennis player, won the US Open in 2003 and reached world No. 1 status the same year. He retired in 2012 after securing 32 ATP singles titles, and has since transitioned into a career as a tennis commentator and podcast host.