See main article: 2002 Australian Open.
Thomas Johansson defeated Marat Safin in the final, 3–6, 6–4, 6–4, 7–6(7–4) to win the men's singles tennis title at the 2002 Australian Open. It was his first and only major title. Johansson became the first Swede to win the title since Mats Wilander in 1988.
Andre Agassi was the two-time reigning champion, but did not participate due to a wrist injury.
The 2002 edition of the Australian Open marked the first time that the top two seeds lost in the first round, and the first such occurrence of this at any major since the 1990 French Open. Top seed (and home favorite) Lleyton Hewitt lost to Alberto Martín, while second seed Gustavo Kuerten lost to Julien Boutter.
The seeded players are listed below. Thomas Johansson is the champion; others show the round in which they were eliminated.
See main article: 2002 Australian Open – Men's singles qualifying.