Jeļena Ostapenko defeated Simona Halep in the final, 4–6, 6–4, 6–3 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2017 French Open.

[5][6] Garbiñe Muguruza was the defending champion, but was defeated in the fourth round by Kristina Mladenovic.

[7] With the losses of Muguruza, Venus Williams, Samantha Stosur and Svetlana Kuznetsova in the fourth round, a first-time major champion was guaranteed.

Kerber's loss marked the first time that the top seed lost in the first round of a major since the 2001 Wimbledon Championships.

This was the first major appearance for future Wimbledon champion and French Open finalist Markéta Vondroušová; she was defeated in the second round by Daria Kasatkina.