France and Italy each earned their first men's singles tennis medals, with Henri Cochet's silver and Uberto De Morpurgo's bronze, respectively.

The field for this event was stronger than previous Olympic tournaments, but still had significant absences.

Defending champion Louis Raymond of South Africa returned.

[1] Argentina, Chile, Finland, India, Ireland, Luxembourg, Mexico, Portugal, Romania, and Yugoslavia each made their debut in the event.

France made its sixth appearance, most among all nations, having missed only the 1904 event.