Gilles Simon , the defending champion in singles, did not take part in the tournament this year. After all seeded players had already been eliminated before the semi-finals, two 30-year-old players, Julien Benneteau and qualifier Jarkko Nieminen , reached the final, which had to be postponed by one day due to rain. Nieminen prevailed in two sets and won his second title in his twelfth ATP final. He had won his first title exactly six years earlier in Auckland . For Benneteau, on the other hand, it was the sixth defeat in his sixth ATP final.
Last year's double winners, Lukáš Dlouhý and Paul Hanley , did not defend their title either. As in the individual, Nieminen surprisingly reached the final. Together with his partner Matthew Ebden he met the top seeded Bryan brothers there, but had to admit defeat to them in two sets. For the Bryans it was the second title in Sydney after 2009 and the 76th joint title of their career.
The field of participants in the single competition consisted of 28 players, that of the doubles competition consisted of 16 pairs. The four top seeded players in the singles each got a bye into the second round.
The qualification took place from January 6th to 8th, 2012. Four qualifying places were played, which entitle them to participate in the main draw of the tournament. There was also a lucky loser.