Men's singles
1896 U.S. National Championships
Champion	Robert Wrenn
Runner-up	Fred Hovey
Score	7–5, 3–6, 6–0, 1–6, 6–1

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.

Draw

Challenge round

	Challenge round
	F Hovey		5	6	0	6	1
	R Wrenn		7	3	6	1	6

Finals

	Semifinals									Final
	C Neel		6	12	6	4	1
	R Wrenn		2	14	4	6	6
										R Wrenn		4	3	6	6	6
										W Larned		6	6	4	4	3
	W Larned		6	6	6
	EP Fischer		1	2	1

Earlier rounds

Section 1

	First round									Second round									Third round									Quarterfinals
										C Neel		6	6	6
										JR Carpenter		1	2	2
																			C Neel		6	6	6
																			C Cragin		4	2	4
										E Lynman		6	5	3	7	3
										C Cragin		3	7	6	5	6
																												C Neel		6	6	7	9
																												R Stevens		4	0	9	7
										EB Stevens		2	1	1
	CR Budlong		7	6	6					CR Budlong		6	6	6
	AWS Post		5	4	2														CR Budlong		4	6	4	4
	R Stevens		6	6	6														R Stevens		6	0	6	6
	WC Grant		2	3	3					R Stevens		6	6	6
	GH Miles		8	6	6					GH Miles		4	1	4
	RH Palmer		6	1	1

Section 2

	First round									Second round									Third round									Quarterfinals
	CM Pope		9	7	6
	HD Cleveland		7	5	2					CM Pope		3	2	3
	J Parmly Paret		w/	o						J Parmly Paret		6	6	6
	C Cordier																		J Parmly Paret		1	0	3
	AP Hawes		6	4	6	6													GL Wrenn		6	6	6
	J McL Walton		1	6	3	2				AP Hawes		4	9	4	1
	GL Wrenn		6	6	6					GL Wrenn		6	7	6	6
	LH Turner		1	1	2																							GL Wrenn		6	7	5	7
	CA Gould		2	6	7	6																						R Wrenn		2	9	7	9
	H Avery		6	2	5	3				CA Gould		0	1	0
	E Wrenn		6	6	6					E Wrenn		6	6	6
	W Clothier		1	2	0														E Wrenn		4	4	10
	R Wrenn		7	3	6	6	6												R Wrenn		6	6	12
	N.Perry E. Halliwell		9	6	1	1	3			R Wrenn		6	6	9	6
	D Davis		6	6	6					D Davis		1	8	7	2
	JC Davidson		4	3	2

Section 3

	First round									Second round									Third round									Quarterfinals
	E Stille		9	6	4	6
	S Ward		7	2	6	2				E Stille		3	4	6
	W Larned		6	6	6					W Larned		6	6	8
	D Miller		4	3	3														W Larned		6	6	6
	GW Lee		3	6	6	6	6												GW Lee		4	2	4
	WA Bethel		6	4	4	8	3			GW Lee		6	8	6
	JK Willing		w/	o						JK Willing		3	6	2
	A Thomson																											W Larned		6	6	6
	MD Whitman		6	6	6																							MD Whitman		4	1	2
	J Talmage		1	4	3					MD Whitman		6	6	6
	C Cleveland		6	8	6					C Cleveland		0	2	0
	A Von Leslie		4	6	0														MD Whitman		6	6	6
	H Ward		6	6	6														H Ward		3	2	0
	LJ Grant		1	3	2					H Ward		2	8	4	6	6
	R Davis		6	6	6					R Davis		6	6	6	4	2
	WW Reece		3	1	3

Section 4

	First round									Second round									Third round									Quarterfinals
	G Sheldon		7	6	8
	K Horton		5	3	6					G Sheldon		4	6	6	6
	J Neely		4	6	6	9				J Neely		6	2	4	2
	RT Parke		6	1	2	7													G Sheldon		6	6	6	3	3
	LE Ware		6	8	6														LE Ware		1	8	4	6	6
	R Fincke		1	6	2					LE Ware		6	6	6
										YM Edwards		2	0	3
																												G Sheldon		4	5	6	6
																												EP Fischer		6	7	2	8
										WD Brownell
										RH Carleton		w/	o
																			RH Carleton		3	6	1
																			EP Fischer		6	8	6
										W Jordan		1	3	2
										EP Fischer		6	6	6

References

• Albiero, Alessandro; Carta, Andrea (2010). The Grand Slam Record Book Vol. 1. Monte Porzio Catone: Effepi Libri. p. 579. ISBN 978-88-6002-017-8.