See main article: 1896 U.S. National Championships.
Robert Wrenn defeated the defending champion Fred Hovey in a rematch of the previous year's final, 7–5, 3–6, 6–0, 1–6, 6–1 to win the men's singles tennis title at the 1896 U.S. National Championships.
Future champions Malcolm Whitman, William Clothier and Holcombe Ward made their debuts at the tournament this year.