See main article: 1972 US Open (tennis).
Defending champion Billie Jean King defeated Kerry Melville in the final, 6–3, 7–5 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1972 US Open. It was her third US Open singles title.
The seeded players are listed below. Billie Jean King is the champion; others show the round in which they were eliminated.
Billie Jean King (champion)
Evonne Goolagong (third round) Chris Evert (semifinalist) Rosie Casals (quarterfinalist) Margaret Court (semifinalist) Nancy Richey Gunter (first round)
Françoise Dürr (third round)
Virginia Wade (quarterfinalist) Kerry Melville (finalist)