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.

Williams was attempting to equal Steffi Graf's Open Era record of 22 major singles titles.

1 singles ranking after Agnieszka Radwańska and Angelique Kerber lost in fourth and first rounds, respectively.

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.