Argentinian tennis player Facundo Bagnis has accepted a one-year suspension from the sport after testing positive for a banned substance, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed. The 36-year-old, who reached a career-high ranking of world No. 55, voluntarily accepted a provisional suspension in 2025 after his sample from the US Open qualifying tournament contained hydrochlorothiazide, a diuretic and masking agent on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) prohibited list.
Contaminated Supplement Claim
In November 2025, a month after the ITIA began its investigation, Bagnis informed the agency that he had identified a contaminated supplement as the source of the positive test. He claimed that the result stemmed from cross-contamination by a compound pharmacy in Argentina, which produced a vitamin supplement he used. Bagnis insisted he did not intend to cheat and had no knowledge of ingesting hydrochlorothiazide, stating that his doctor prescribed a bespoke supplement that was unknowingly contaminated.
At the beginning of 2026, the ITIA independently tested the product and confirmed the presence of hydrochlorothiazide, acknowledging that Bagnis’ explanation was possible. The agency accepted that his violation was not intentional but still offered a one-year suspension, which Bagnis accepted without exercising his right to a hearing before an independent tribunal.
Suspension Timeline and Statement
Bagnis’ suspension began in 2025 and will end on October 17, 2026. At the time of the provisional suspension, he issued a statement expressing his shock and cooperation. “I want to tell you that I am going through one of the worst moments of my professional career,” he said. “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.” He added, “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 also noted that he was working with a team of toxicologist doctors and lawyers, suspecting cross-contamination. “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,” he said.
