Justine Henin-Hardenne defeated Kim Clijsters in the final, 7–5, 6–1 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2003 US Open. It was her first US Open title and second major title overall. She lost only one set during the tournament, to Jennifer Capriati in the semifinals.
Serena Williams was the reigning champion, but did not participate due to injury. Defending finalist and her sisterVenus Williams also withdrew before the tournament due to injury, marking the first time in the Open Era that neither of the reigning US Open finalists returned. This was also the only major between the 1997 Australian Open and the 2011 French Open (a span of 56 events) where neither of the Williams sisters competed.