When it comes to rules, the ITIA keeps a firm hand on tennis. Fans have already seen top players like Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek feel the sting of positive doping results last year. The WTA star served a one-month ban, while Sinner faced three months off from February to May, despite both records stating there was “No Fault or Negligence.” Yet they faced the brunt of their test results, and now, another name joins the list.

On Friday, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced that Argentina’s Facundo Bagnis, ranked No. 401, accepted a voluntary provisional suspension after testing positive for hydrochlorothiazide during US Open qualifying. The result came from an in-competition sample collected in New York on August 18, 2025. His A sample contained the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide, listed under section S5 of the 2025 WADA Prohibited List. Bagnis did not hold a Therapeutic Use Exemption for the substance.

It all began on August 18 in New York. During U.S. Open qualifying, the 35-year-old gave an in-competition sample that later revealed traces of hydrochlorothiazide. The A sample came back positive, triggering the standard testing process while the B sample waited for confirmation. The ITIA stated, “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.”

By October 2, Bagnis had received a pre-charge notice for an Anti-Doping Rule Violation. Without a therapeutic use exemption, the finding landed hard. It came at a difficult moment, his U.S. Open qualifying loss had already marked his sixth straight defeat in Grand Slam qualifiers.

The 2025 season hadn’t gone easy on Bagnis. He started the year around No. 400 and fought to a 17–12 record, mixing Challenger events and qualifiers. On the main tour, he even broke into the National Bank Open main draw. His shining moment came in Montreal, where he beat Vasek Pospisil in the Canadian’s emotional farewell match.

Injuries and retirements tested him at events like San Miguel de Tucuman and Barranquilla, but he never lost his fight. After reaching his second ATP final late in 2024, he kept grinding across Challengers until the ITIA notice dropped. Bagnis said he’s cooperating fully and insists he never knowingly took a banned substance.

Facundo Bagnis opens up about his ban by the ITIA

Following the ITIA’s announcement, Bagnis turned to social media to share his side of the story. In a heartfelt post, the Argentine denied ever taking any banned substance and said he’s working with a team of lawyers and a medical toxicologist to build his defense around possible cross-contamination. He called the situation “one of the worst moments of my professional career.”

“I want to be clear, I’ve never knowingly taken anything prohibited, that’s why I’m confident in my innocence and that the truth will come to light and reveal a fair outcome,” Bagnis wrote on Instagram. His message struck both honesty and heartbreak, showing how stunned he’s been since learning about the result earlier this month.

Bagnis decided to begin his provisional suspension last week, which will count as time served if a ban follows. He last suited up at the Challenger in Antofagasta, Chile, reaching the round of 16 on October 2 after beating Francesco Maestrelli in the opening round. His run ended abruptly with a walkover before his next match could begin.

“The news has taken me completely by surprise,” he added. “Since the beginning, I have cooperated with the ITIA and been completely and totally transparent in order to clear everything up as quickly as possible. Additionally, I have chosen to accept a voluntary provisional suspension in order to dedicate my full attention to this process and to demonstrate that I have nothing to hide.” For now, while serving the suspension, the current world No. 401 cannot compete, coach, or attend any tournaments sanctioned by the ATP, WTA, ITF, or any Grand Slam body.