See main article: article and 2016 Citi Open.
Kei Nishikori was the defending champion, but chose not to participate this year.
Second-seeded Gaël Monfils won the title, defeating Ivo Karlović in the final: 5–7, 7–6(8–6), 6–4.
All seeds receive a bye into the second round.
The top four seeds received a bye into the qualifying competition.