"He’s always funny, but he’s on another level in this movie" - Huge gamble paid off: Andy Roddick shines with acting debut in 'The Dink'

Tennis fans have been accustomed to Andy Roddick challenging the best players in the world on court before moving to a punditry role in recent times. What fans may not have expected is a move away from tennis into action as he debuted in Apple TV's pickleball comedy 'The Dink.'

The 2003 US Open champion does not stray too far away from his normal character, playing a fictionalised version of himself in the film.

It follows washed-up tennis talent Dusty Boyd, played by American actor Jake Johnson, swap tennis for pickleball as he comes off the back of a turbulent period with injuries, all with the motive of trying to win back the respect of his father.

Directed by Josh Greenbaum and produced by Ben Stiller, it premiered on Apple TV on on 24 July. Among the actors featuring include Ed Harris, Mary Steenburgen, Chloe Fineman, Patton Oswalt and Aaron Chen. On top of that, a certain John McEnroe also gets his chance to shine. The seven-time Grand Slam and former World No.1 played himself. Another recognisable name for tennis fans alongside Roddick.

It was a completely new realm for the 43-year-old who relished the opportunity to get out of his comfort zone and try something different. His fellow co-star Johnson admitted that it was a 'gamble' to have the former tennis professional involved, but it was one that paid off.

“He’s always funny, but he’s on another level in this movie,” Johnson told Variety’s Marc Malkin. “We almost cast like a comedic actor to pretend to be an athlete, and we gambled and cast Andy and he crushes it."

He went on to give a little insight on Roddick's character. "[Roddick’s] whole thing is he was very self-deprecating and he’s like, ‘I promise you I’m not the guy.’ We were like, ‘You’re the guy. You’re the guy.’”

Johnson said it was Stiller who was the driving force behind adding Roddick into the show. In a separate interview, Stiller opened up on the challenges of filming and acting opposite the four-time Grand Slam finalist.

“We didn’t really play a real game, because it was all choreographed. But we actually had to play every point. So it was even weirder. Everything would be scripted where the ball was supposed to go, and we were expected to do that,” Johnson told Decider.

“If I was with another actor, we would have the pressure taken off – like, we’re both figuring it out. But Andy can place the ball exactly where he wants every time. I think our director, Josh, figured we both could. But that was not a natural skill I had! So that was a lot of anxiety.”

The view of pickleball by many tennis players is not that high, seeing it as an easier version of their profession. Roddick fitted that bill perfectly. “I think Andy does not have a lot of respect for pickleball,” Johnson joked. “I think Andy Roddick is similar to the character of Andy Roddick, and he thinks [pickleball] is just like tennis, but worse, and easier.”