See main article: 2012 Italian Open (tennis).
Rafael Nadal defeated the defending champion Novak Djokovic in a rematch of the previous year's final, 7–5, 6–3 to win the men's singles tennis title at the 2012 Italian Open. It was his record-extending sixth Italian Open title. He did not lose a set during the tournament.
The top eight seeds receive a bye into the second round.
See also: 1 and 1. 
Novak Djokovic (final)
See also: 2 and 4. 
Rafael Nadal (champion)
See also: 3 and 2. Roger Federer (semifinals)
See also: 4 and 3. 
Andy Murray (third round)
See also: 5 and 1. 
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (quarterfinals)
See also: 6 and 3. David Ferrer (semifinals)
See also: 7 and 4. 
Tomáš Berdych (quarterfinals)
See also: 8 and 2. Janko Tipsarević (second round)
See also: 9 and 2. 
John Isner (second round)
See also: 10 and 1. 
Juan Martín del Potro (third round)
See also: 11 and 3. Gilles Simon (third round)
See also: 12 and 4. Nicolás Almagro (third round)
See also: 13 and 2. Gaël Monfils (second round)
See also: 14 and 1. Juan Mónaco (third round)
See also: 15 and 4. Feliciano López (first round)
See also: 16 and 3. Richard Gasquet (quarterfinals)