American pickleball legend Kyle Yates serves as the head coach at the D-Joy Academy in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: D-Joy
Born in 1995, Yates was one of the most dominant men's pickleball players from 2014 to 2018 and was inducted into the Pickleball Hall of Fame in 2024 in recognition of his achievements.
He will relocate to Vietnam for long-term work in Ho Chi Minh City, marking a significant milestone for the country’s fast-growing pickleball movement.
Yates’ arrival is expected to elevate coaching standards while establishing an international-level professional foundation for Vietnam’s athlete development pathway.
He will be directly responsible for designing training curricula, developing athletes and coaches, and shaping a playing style aligned with global standards.
This strategic direction aims to help D-Joy nurture a new generation of players capable of competing at continental and world-level tournaments.
The academy boasts one of the most advanced pickleball facilities in Asia, featuring 63 high-quality courts, including the largest pickleball court complex on the continent.
Its layout follows a flexible training-competition-education model, catering to a wide range of needs: athlete development, coach education, semi-professional and professional tournaments, as well as domestic and international training camps.
Besides, the pickleball academy operates as a comprehensive high-performance training complex, meeting educational needs from beginner to advanced levels.
An academic zone allows athletes to access modern coaching methodologies, while a high-standard residential area provides a safe, comfortable living environment.
The academy also includes sports therapy and psychological support units, critical components of elite performance training.
Athletes can receive continuous support from a dedicated team of medical and sports psychology professionals throughout their development journey.
Despite its rapid growth in Vietnam, pickleball remains relatively underdeveloped in many parts of the world.
As a result, the sport has yet to be included in official multi-sport events such as the SEA Games, Asian Games, or the Olympic Games.
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