Evonne Goolagong defeated Helen Gourlay in the final, 6–3, 7–5 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1971 French Open.[1] It was her first major title.
Margaret Court was the two-time defending champion, but was defeated in the third round by Gail Chanfreau. This marked the first time since the 1964 US Championships that Court failed to reach a major quarterfinal, a run of 19 consecutive majors. It was also her earliest exit from a major since 1962 Wimbledon.