1981 Volvo International – Singles

Jimmy Connors was the defending champion but lost in the third round to José Higueras.

José Luis Clerc won in the final 6–3, 6–2 against Guillermo Vilas.

Seeds
A champion seed is indicated in bold text while text in italics indicates the round in which that seed was eliminated. • # 🇺🇸 Jimmy Connors (third round)

• # Ivan Lendl (semifinals)

• # 🇦🇷 José Luis Clerc (champion)

• # 🇦🇷 Guillermo Vilas (final)

• # 🇦🇺 Peter McNamara (third round)

• # 🇺🇸 Roscoe Tanner (second round)

• # 🇺🇸 Harold Solomon (quarterfinals)

• # 🇺🇸 Eliot Teltscher (semifinals)

• # Johan Kriek (third round)

• # 🇺🇸 Mel Purcell (third round)

• # 🇪🇸 José Higueras (quarterfinals)

• # 🇺🇸 Eddie Dibbs (quarterfinals)

• # Hans Gildemeister (third round)

• # José Luis Damiani (third round)

• # 🇺🇸 Terry Moor (first round)

• # 🇮🇹 Corrado Barazzutti (first round)