The men's singles badminton tournament at the 2020 Summer Olympics took place from 24 July to 2 August 2021 at the Musashino Forest Sport Plaza at Tokyo.

He became the first non-Asian — specifically Danish — to win Olympic badminton men's singles since Poul-Erik Høyer Larsen in 1996.

[1] Anthony Sinisuka Ginting of Indonesia won bronze by defeating four-time Olympian Kevin Cordón of Guatemala.

Nations with multiple players in the top 16 of the ranking list could earn 2 quota places; all others were limited to 1.

Players were taken from the ranking list in order, respecting the national limits, until the places were filled.

Additional places beyond 38 were added where players qualified in both the men's singles and one of the doubles events.

The knockout stage was a four-round single elimination tournament with a bronze medal match.