NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A teacher, mentor and tennis stalwart throughout the state of Tennessee who helped lay the foundation for championship excellence during his time as head coach of both men’s and women’s teams at Vanderbilt, Bill Tym has passed away.
“The Vanderbilt men’s tennis family is saddened to hear of the passing of former head coach, Bill Tym,” men’s head coach and alumnus Scott Brown said. “He was not only a legend in the Vanderbilt and Nashville tennis community, but in the global tennis community as well. He demanded excellence and set the standard for Vanderbilt tennis that has been passed on to our current generation of student-athletes. He will be greatly missed.”
Tym served as Vanderbilt men’s tennis head coach from 1987–96 and women’s head coach from 1987–90. His dedication to teaching and instilling a winning mindset was an important part of the journey for programs that grew into juggernauts and played for the national title under the legends who soon took the baton: the women in 2001 under Geoff Macdonald (later winning the national title in 2015) and the men in 2003 under Ken Flach.
“I had the unique privilege of having Bill Tym coach me for 20-plus years, and in that time he didn’t just teach me how to hit a tennis ball—he taught me how to compete and how to live,” said Ryan Lipman, former All-American and 2025 Vanderbilt Athletics Hall of Fame inductee. “He believed winning started with what you can control: hustle, anticipation, discipline and the willingness to adjust when things weren’t going your way. He gave generations of players a ‘complete toolbox’, not only the shots, but the standards, so we could handle pressure, problem solve and do things the right way.
“Tennis lost a legend, but the sport will keep hearing his voice every time a player hustles for one more ball, adjusts the game plan and refuses to give in.”
Taking over a Vanderbilt men’s team that had gone 25-41 overall and 1-25 in the SEC over the preceding three seasons, Tym wasted no time exerting his influence and reimagining what was possible in Nashville. The men’s team went 18-12 overall in 1987 and won three SEC matches — as many as the previous four seasons combined. In all, the Commodores won more than 120 matches during his time as head coach. He also returned later in life to serve a new generation of student-athletes as a volunteer assistant with Ian Duvenhage.
“Bill dedicated his life to the pursuit of excellence especially as it related to the game of tennis,” former Vanderbilt head coach Duvenhage said. “He never stopped learning and those of us who had the opportunity to work with him never stopped learning from him. His knowledge and enthusiasm for the game will be sorely missed — he will be sorely missed.”
Tym made a lasting impression at Vanderbilt that continues to this day, but the Tennessee native’s time on West End was also just one chapter in a remarkable tennis life. A gifted student-athlete in his own right, he starred collegiately at Florida, winning an SEC title, before going on to a sustained professional career took him around the globe.
“The tennis world has lost a legend,” said David Drew, who played for Tym at Vanderbilt from 1988–91. “Coach Tym was one of the toughest human beings I have ever known. His ‘happy place’ was being on a tennis court developing players. He demanded nothing but the best from us and we are forever grateful.”
Although he remained a decorated player at numerous age levels after leaving the professional ranks, he found a new outlet for his passion for the sport through coaching. Whether at the collegiate or touring level, he helped countless young athletes reach their full potential.
“Bill Tym was a legend in coaching,” said former women’s head coach Geoff Macdonald. “He was very important mentor to me and his coaching lineage is without peer; a gentleman, scholar and hugely influential person in the world of tennis. I am grateful to have known him.”
At one time president of the United States Professional Tennis Association, Tym also received the USPTA Lifetime Achievement Award. He was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame, the Tennessee Tennis Hall of Fame and the USPTA Southern Division Hall of Fame.
