2016 French Open – Women's singles

Garbiñe Muguruza defeated defending champion Serena Williams in the final, 7–5, 6–4 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2016 French Open. It was her first major title, and she was the second Spaniard to win the title (after Arantxa Sánchez Vicario). Williams was attempting to equal Steffi Graf's Open Era record of 22 major singles titles. She was also attempting to become only the second player, after Graf, to complete a quadruple career Grand Slam.

Williams retained the world No. 1 singles ranking after Agnieszka Radwańska and Angelique Kerber lost in fourth and first rounds, respectively.

The tournament marked the first time that former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki did not play in the main draw of a singles major (being forced to withdraw due to an ankle injury) since her major debut at the 2007 French Open, ending a streak of 36 consecutive major appearances.

This was the first French Open since 2011 not won by either Maria Sharapova or Williams.

This tournament marked the final French Open appearance of 2008 champion Ana Ivanovic; she lost in the third round to Elina Svitolina. It also marked the first French Open main draw appearance for Jeļena Ostapenko, who would win the event the following year; she lost to Naomi Osaka in the first round.