Meet Doyeob Dee Kim | Co-Founder of YUP Tennis Academy & RSPA Certified Professional

We had the good fortune of connecting with Doyeob Dee Kim and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Doyeob Dee, what are you inspired by?
I draw my inspiration from meeting my clients’ needs and giving them transformative experiences. From a young age, my goal has been to create a tennis community where, regardless of background, everyone has access to proper guidance that allows them to fully unlock their potential and enjoy the sport.

Starting my own tennis academy has helped me achieve part of this goal. I provide students with personalized, tailored instruction, guiding them with the information they need to meet their individual goals. Most importantly, I focus on helping them find joy in tennis.

My next goal is to organize tennis events—both competitive and casual matches—for all players, supporting them with access to secured tennis courts. This has been the most challenging aspect of my journey so far, as securing consistent court space is not easy. However, I’m confident I will succeed in this because I believe it will inspire many more players to experience more joy in tennis, and I know I will be further inspired by the smiles I see on and off the court.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m a Co-Founder of YUP Tennis Academy and a licensed RSPA Professional, known for my dedication, integrity, and commitment to building a better tennis environment for everyone.

One thing that sets me apart is my dedication to doing what’s right. I believe in sharing tennis courts and community spaces, rather than monopolizing them. Each decision I make, I strive to be proud of, avoiding shortcuts that compromise my values. Most importantly, I view my students as individuals rather than clients. My focus is on helping them grow, both in the game and in life, with personalized guidance to support their unique goals and happiness.

My greatest source of pride is my wife, who is my unwavering support system and inspiration. Her love and encouragement have shaped who I am, and I’m confident that with her by my side, we’ll continue to build something meaningful together.

Getting here hasn’t been easy, and I didn’t expect it to be. While YUP Tennis Academy now has access to courts through partnerships with LA County and a Recreation Center, challenges still arise—whether it’s court-sharing issues, unpredictable weather, noise, or getting permissions on hosting tennis events. I do my best to foster positive relationships in the community, believing a supportive network benefits everyone involved.

A month into launching the academy, I encountered an unexpected hurdle. I was hospitalized with meningitis, requiring two ER visits and several days of treatment. Shortly after, an infection in my right heel prevented me from standing or walking, and I had to relearn how to walk over nearly two months. It was a difficult period, full of frustration as I wondered why this happened just as I was pursuing my dreams.

In hindsight, I see this as a lesson from God, showing me the importance of pacing myself. I tend to dive in wholeheartedly, and this experience taught me to sustain my energy for the long haul. Looking back, I’m grateful it happened early on; I’m better prepared to face challenges as our academy grows.

Through this journey, I’ve come to value building a connected tennis community—not only for my students but also for other coaches. Coaches, licensed or not, face unique struggles, and I want to help bring joy to everyone involved. If tennis can bring light into people’s lives, I want to help make that happen.

These days, I prioritize health and balance. While my goal remains to nurture a vibrant tennis community, I never lose sight of what truly matters: my family and loved ones.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If it’s my friend’s first trip to California, we’d start with a visit to IN-N-OUT—an absolute must for any first-time visitor. After a good meal, we’d head out to Indian Wells Open, close to Palm Desert, for the professional tennis tournament. Even for non-tennis fans, this event is thrilling; it’s a chance to watch top men’s and women’s players live in action and enjoy a range of entertainment at the venue. Indian Wells is known for its electric atmosphere and beautiful desert setting, making it an ideal start to their California adventure.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As a Christian, I want to dedicate all my achievements to God, Jesus Christ. He has shown me paths I could never have imagined and guided me through my darkest times. Every experience in my life had a purpose, and I’ve come to realize that everything was part of God’s plan. Not a single moment was wasted; it was all His design to bring me to where I am today. I have faith that there is still much more for me to learn and accomplish for His kingdom. In my most challenging moments, He sent me angels, and to this day, He continues to place people in my life who I can learn from, work with, and succeed alongside.

My relationship with God has deepened since meeting my wife, who deserves so much credit for all I have achieved. Without the blessing of marrying her, I wouldn’t be standing where I am today. She has given me wisdom, the courage to take action, and, most importantly, encouraged me to pursue what I truly love. Since meeting her, I’ve experienced blessings at every turn, and I see how God works through her. She deserves more recognition than I do, and I am endlessly grateful for her love and support.

Lastly, I want to thank my students, their families, my community, and VoyageLA’s Shoutout series. It’s truly a blessing to have everyone’s trust, support, and love, allowing me to continue growing and doing what I love. My mission is to create a better tennis environment for everyone, regardless of background. I firmly believe—and can confidently say—that together, we can create a more inclusive and supportive environment because there is nothing we can’t accomplish when we work as one.

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