1981 Player's Canadian Open – Men's singles

Ivan Lendl was the defending champion.

Lendl successfully defended his title, defeating Eliot Teltscher in the final, 6–3, 6–2.

Seeds

 * 1) 🇺🇸 John McEnroe (third round)
 * 2) 🇸🇪 Björn Borg (withdrew)
 * 3) 🇺🇸 Jimmy Connors (first round)
 * 4)  Ivan Lendl (champion)
 * 5) 🇦🇺 Peter McNamara (third round)
 * 6) 🇺🇸 Eliot Teltscher (final)
 * 7) 🇺🇸 Brian Teacher (quarterfinals)
 * 8) 🇺🇸 Vitas Gerulaitis (second round)
 * 9) 🇺🇸 John Sadri (second round)
 * 10) 🇮🇳 Vijay Amritraj (semifinals)
 * 11)  Tomáš Šmíd (third round)
 * 12) 🇺🇸 Sammy Giammalva Jr. (second round)
 * 13) 🇺🇸 Tom Gullikson (third round)
 * 14) N/A
 * 15) 🇮🇱 Shlomo Glickstein (semifinals)
 * 16)  Kevin Curren (second round)