Argentine tennis player Facundo Bagnis, former world No. 55, is facing a challenging chapter in his career after voluntarily accepting a provisional suspension following a positive test for the prohibited substance hydrochlorothiazide.
Known for his tenacity on court, Bagnis has expressed full cooperation with the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and emphasised that he has “nothing to hide.”
Bagnis expressed his shock at the test results, professing his innocence. “I would never take something forbidden,” he stated, suggesting that the positive test could be the result of cross-contamination.
The ITIA confirmed on Thursday that Bagnis opted to enter a voluntary provisional suspension under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP). The 35-year-old Argentine had provided an in-competition sample during US Open qualifying on August 18. The sample was split into A and B samples, with the A sample detecting hydrochlorothiazide, classified as a ‘Specified substance’. Bagnis did not have a valid therapeutic use exemption, and he received a pre-charge notice of an Anti-Doping Rule Violation on October 2.
The ITIA clarified: “While Specified substances do not carry a mandatory provisional suspension, Bagnis elected to enter voluntary provisional suspension on 18 October 2025. Time served under provisional suspension will be credited against any future sanction.”
In a personal statement, Bagnis shared his determination and confidence in his innocence: “I want to tell you that I am going through one of the worst moments of my professional career. I recently received a notification from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) on an anti-doping control that they performed on me during this year’s US Open.
The examination showed the presence of a substance prohibited by WADA, hydrochlorothiazide (a diuretic), and for that reason a disciplinary process was initiated. The news took me completely by surprise.
From the first moment I am collaborating with the ITIA in a total and transparent way, to clarify everything as soon as possible. In addition, I decided to voluntarily accept the provisional suspension, in order to devote my full attention to this process and prove that I have nothing to hide.”
Bagnis now awaits the continuation of the disciplinary process, confident that the truth will ultimately emerge, even as he navigates one of the most difficult periods of his professional tennis career.