Tym, raised in Montville, New Jersey, attended Boonton High School and played collegiate tennis for the University of Florida.

During the 1960s he featured in the six editions of the US Open and played in doubles main draws at Wimbledon.

From 1987 to 1996 he served as the men's head coach of Vanderbilt University.

He was the personal coach of tennis player Bryan Shelton.

[1] Tym is married to former collegiate tennis coach Alice Luthy.