Argentine tennis player Facundo Bagnis has voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension after testing positive for the prohibited substance hydrochlorothiazide. The former world No. 55 has issued a statement explaining that he is collaborating with the International Tennis Integrity Agency and accepted the ban because he has “nothing to hide”.
Bagnis professed his innocence and said he was shocked to learn of the positive test, as he would “never take something forbidden”. He now believes it could be the result of cross-contamination.
The ITIA confirmed on Thursday that Bagnis elected to enter a voluntary provisional suspension under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP)
The 35-year-old provided an in-competition sample during US Open qualifying on August 18. The sample was split into A and B samples, and the A sample was found to contain hydrochlorothiazide, which is classed as a ‘Specified substance’.
Bagnis did not have a valid therapeutic use exemption for the substance, and he was sent 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.”
Bagnis has issued a statement, sharing his full confidence that his innocence would “come to light”.
The Argentine player wrote: “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.
“I want to make it clear that I would never consciously take something forbidden, that’s why I have full confidence in my innocence and that the truth will come to light, with a fair outcome.
“With a team of toxicologist doctors and lawyers who work with me, we suspect cross-contamination and soon we will get to know the truth, today is our first goal.
“I sincerely thank all those who accompany me from the first moment and trust in my integrity. Hugs to everyone. Facundo.”
While serving a provisional suspension, the current world No. 401 cannot compete, coach, or attend any tennis event sanctioned by the ATP, WTA, ITF, Tennis Australia, French Tennis Federation, Wimbledon, US Open, or any national association.
