Reigning champion John Newcombe was prevented from defending his title and was absent along with other WCT contract players who were banned by the ILTF from entering the event. Stan Smith defeated Ilie Nastase 4–6, 6–3, 6–3, 4–6, 7–5 in the final to win the Gentlemen's Singles tennis title at the 1972 Wimbledon Championships. It was Smiths first, and only, Wimbledon singles title, and his second, and final, grand slam singles title.