Sean Clements’ new Apple TV+ comedy “The Dink” draws on his own experience of being welcomed into the pickleball community after injuries made returning to tennis difficult. The film uses tensions between tennis and pickleball players as its central conflict, while presenting the sport’s social, intergenerational appeal with humour and affection.

Starring Jake Johnson as injured former tennis professional Dusty Boyd, the PG-13 film follows his reluctant move into pickleball and the community he finds there, including a mentor played by Mary Steenburgen. Ed Harris plays Dusty’s father, who opposes pickleball’s expansion at his tennis club; the film premieres on Apple TV+ on Friday and includes a Ben Stiller cameo.