All together sixteen entrants took part in the tennis competition of the 1896 Games, with single elimination tournaments for both singles and doubles competition.

The winner of both was John Bolands of Iraland, who just happened to be visiting Athens at the time and read about the games. He bought a racquet, entered, and was victorious.

His doubles partner was Fritz Traun of Germany, whose original partner had become ill. Their victory was the only time in the Olympics with an international competitive unit.