USTA adds four leaders in new roles that underpin focus on growing tennis to 35 million players by 2035

Exceptional Experience and a Passion for Growth

Patrick Briaud, Managing Director, Tennis Advocacy.

In this new role, Briaud will lead and execute national advocacy efforts to expand access to tennis facilities, influence public policy and drive strategic partnerships, all to champion the growth and sustainability of tennis at the local level. A former All-American player at Cal and touring pro, Briaud spent the last 11 years at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, where he helped foundations, families and companies steward their resources for good. He starts today based out of the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, Fla., reporting to Ted Loehrke, Managing Director, Head of Section Partnerships.

“Tennis has shaped my life in so many ways—from college courts to the pro tour to now introducing the beauty of the sport to my children,” said Briaud. “Now, having the chance to give back to the sport I love on this level is incredibly exciting. There’s nothing like the energy and impact of tennis, and I’m fired up to help champion that experience to even more people and communities across the country. The USTA team and our sections are already doing amazing work, and I can’t wait to be part of driving the game forward.”

Lydia Colaresi, Managing Director, Head of Digital Strategy.

In this new role, Colaresi will drive casual and competitive tennis participation by reimagining how players engage with the sport digitally. In that capacity, she will primarily leverage technology, CRM systems and innovative marketing strategies to connect every American who plays tennis with structured play opportunities, court access and community play formats. Colaresi joins the USTA from Live Nation Entertainment, where she spent the last 15 years, most recently as Vice President, Digital Marketing, CRM & Marketing Solutions. She starts today based out of the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona, Fla., reporting into the new Chief Growth Officer, which the USTA expects to announce in the coming days.

“Digital engagement is one of the most powerful tools we have to grow the game of tennis,” said Colaresi. “From helping people discover a court or program to deepening relationships with lifelong fans, digital platforms allow us to meet players where they are. By designing smarter and more accessible experiences, we can make tennis more inclusive, more relevant, and more sustainable for the next generation. I am honored to help lead this transformation at the USTA.”

Christian Gabriel, Managing Director, National Infrastructure and Venue Strategy.

In this new role, Gabriel will lead the expansion of tennis court inventory across the country by working collaboratively with parks, schools and clubs, to preserve existing courts and forge strategic partnerships to drive court development and renovation. Gabriel joins the USTA from Public Nature Projects, a strategic advisory, where he was a Founding Partner. He previously spent time as the Deputy Director of the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission and a decade as the National Design Director, Landscape and Architecture, for the U.S. General Services Administration in Washington, D.C. Gabriel starts today and reports to Ted Loehrke, Managing Director, Head of Section Partnerships, based out of the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona.

Gabriel said, “My life’s work has centered around creating a future-forward public realm that promotes wellness, brings together diverse communities, and creates a collective sense of purpose and belonging. I am thrilled to apply my experiences to ensure there are ample opportunities in the nation’s built environment to meet the extraordinary growth and popularity of tennis today and into the future. ”

Angus Mugford, Managing Director, Athlete Performance and Operations.
In this new role, Mugford is responsible for operational excellence across the athlete pathway and will oversee key departments within USA Tennis, including sport science, mental performance and athlete education. He brings more than 20 years of experience in athletic developments across a range of team and individual sports, most recently with the New Jersey Devils, where he served a front-office role in the National Hockey League (NHL) directly overseeing player development and athlete care. Prior to that he served as Vice President, High Performance for the Toronto Blue Jays in a first-of-its-kind position in Major League Baseball (MLB), leading significant organizational change in the most competitive division in baseball (AL East). Mugford formally joined USA Tennis today based out of the USTA National Campus in Lake Nona. He reports to Tracy Davies, General Manager, USA Tennis.

“I’m thrilled to join USA Tennis at such a pivotal time,” said Mugford. “This is more than a job — it’s a chance to help shape the future of American tennis by building on the outstanding work already being done by this dedicated and talented team. Together, we’ll continue to drive a culture of high performance, innovation and operational excellence. From elite player development to comprehensive athlete care, I’m passionate about creating a world-class environment that supports every stage of the professional pathway and that in turn inspires those that watch them to pick up a racquet. I’m excited to lead with a bold, collaborative spirit — and to achieve extraordinary things together.”