BOCA RATON, Fla. - Lynn University Director of Athletics Kathy Kroupa has announced the promotion of Ana Pain to head coach of the Fighting Knights men's tennis program.

 

"I'm excited to announce Coach Ana Pain as the head coach of our men's tennis program," said Director of Athletics Kathy Kroupa. "Ana worked with the men's team this past year as an assistant and has proven her ability to develop our student-athletes on and off the court. Her deep familiarity and experience as both a player and a coach in the Sunshine State Conference will be invaluable as she works to build a championship program. She knows what it will take to win in the toughest tennis conference in the nation." 

 

Pain joined the Lynn coaching staff as an assistant coach prior to the 2025-26 season, spending the past year working alongside legendary head coach Mike Perez during his final season before retirement. Learning from one of the most accomplished coaches in NCAA tennis history, Pain played an instrumental role in guiding the Fighting Knights through the 2025-26 season, helping the men's team earn a berth in the Sunshine State Conference Championship Tournament while continuing the championship tradition that has defined Lynn Tennis for nearly four decades. 

 

"I am truly honored and grateful for the opportunity to lead the Lynn University men's tennis program as head coach," said Pain. "I want to sincerely thank President Ross, Athletic Director Kathy, the search committee and everyone across the Lynn University community who placed their trust in me throughout this process. Lynn has built a championship tradition founded on excellence, integrity and a commitment to developing exceptional student-athletes, and I am excited to build upon that legacy. Together, we will continue to elevate the Fighting Knights, compete for championships and foster a culture of excellence that prepares our student-athletes for success on the court, in the classroom and in life. I can't wait to get started." 

 

Before arriving at Lynn, Pain served as a volunteer assistant coach at Barry University during the 2024 season, helping the Buccaneers capture the NCAA Division II National Championship. 

 

As a student-athlete at Barry from 2014-17, Pain established herself as one of the top players in program history. She was a two-time NCAA Division II National Champion and compiled a remarkable 55-6 singles record, including a 21-2 mark in Sunshine State Conference competition. In doubles, she posted an outstanding 83-14 career record with a near-perfect 28-1 conference mark. Upon graduation, she ranked second in Barry history in doubles victories and currently sits fourth all-time. 

 

Prior to her collegiate career, Pain competed professionally beginning at age 13 in her native New Caledonia. She achieved an ITF ranking of No. 60 and climbed as high as No. 300 in the WTA rankings. Among her career highlights were reaching the doubles quarterfinals at the 2011 French Open, earning a top-five national ranking in France and training at the prestigious French National Training Base from 2010-13. 

 

In addition to her collegiate and professional accomplishments, Pain has built an impressive coaching résumé in South Florida. She previously coached at Saviano High Performance Tennis in Davie before founding AP Pro Tennis LLC in 2023. She is certified by both the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) and the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR). 

 

Pain earned her bachelor's degree in biology from Barry University in 2017 before completing her master's degree in public health in 2021. 

 

Pain inherits a Lynn men's tennis program that has been one of the nation's most successful over the last four decades and will look to continue the Fighting Knights' championship tradition while ushering in the next era of Lynn men's tennis.