Bagnis Gets 12-Month Suspension for Doping Violation
Facundo Bagnis, formerly ranked 55th globally in tennis, has been handed a one-year suspension by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). This decision comes after an investigation into a positive drug test during the 2025 US Open qualifying rounds. The player maintained his innocence, claiming the banned substance originated from a contaminated supplement, a claim that the ITIA ultimately accepted as unintentional. His ban is set to conclude in October 2026, paving the way for his return to the professional circuit.
The issue arose when Bagnis submitted a sample on August 18 during the US Open qualifying tournament, which subsequently tested positive for hydrochlorothiazide. This substance is categorized as a prohibited diuretic and masking agent by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). Despite the positive test, Bagnis asserted he had no intention of violating anti-doping regulations, attributing the presence of the substance to a bespoke vitamin supplement prepared by an Argentine pharmacy. He voluntarily entered a provisional suspension in October 2025 as the inquiry progressed.
To corroborate his account, Bagnis presented comprehensive documentation, including medical records, purchase details, correspondence with his physician, and reports from independent experts. The ITIA further investigated by having the supplement tested at a WADA-accredited laboratory. The laboratory analysis confirmed the presence of hydrochlorothiazide in the product, lending credence to Bagnis' explanation. Consequently, the ITIA determined that the violation was not a deliberate act.
Given that hydrochlorothiazide is classified as a specified substance, Bagnis was not obligated to immediately accept a provisional suspension. However, he chose to step away from the sport while his case was under review. The ITIA's final ruling considered the mitigating evidence provided by Bagnis, along with precedents from similar cases, to arrive at the 12-month ban. Bagnis accepted these terms, forgoeing his right to an independent tribunal hearing, thereby bringing the nearly year-long case to a close.
Bagnis, who achieved a career-best singles ranking of No. 55 in November 2016, has had a distinguished career marked by 17 Challenger titles and two ATP finals, including a runner-up finish at Córdoba in 2024. At the time of his positive test, he was ranked No. 401 and was actively striving to prolong his professional career after more than a decade at the sport's highest echelons. His suspension ensures he will be absent from official tennis events until October, at which point he will be eligible to resume playing.