Stan Smith defeated Ilie Năstase in the final, 4–6, 6–3, 6–3, 4–6, 7–5 to win the gentlemen's singles tennis title at the 1972 Wimbledon Championships. It was his first Wimbledon singles title, and his second and last major singles title. Due to rain washing out the final Saturday when the final was due to take place, the men's singles final became the first match in Wimbledon history to take place on a Sunday. Not until ten years later in 1982 did Wimbledon men's singles finals start being deliberately scheduled for Sunday.
Two-time reigning champion John Newcombe was prevented from participating due to the International Lawn Tennis Federation ban on World Championship Tennis-contracted players competing in its tournaments.
Seeds
Stan Smith (champion) Ilie Năstase (final) Manuel Orantes (semifinals) Andrés Gimeno (second round) Jan Kodeš (semifinals) Pierre Barthès (fourth round) Bob Hewitt (first round) Alex Metreveli (quarterfinals)
Qualifying
Draw
Finals
Top half
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Bottom half
Section 5
Section 6
Section 7
Section 8
References
External links
1972 Wimbledon Championships – Men's draws and results at the International Tennis Federation