Althea Gibson defeated Angela Mortimer in the final, 6–0, 12–10 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 1956 French Championships. It was her first Grand Slam tournament title, and Gibson became the first African American to win a Grand Slam tournament.
Seeds The seeded players are listed below. Althea Gibson is the champion; others show the round in which they were eliminated.
Angela Mortimer (finalist) Dorothy Knode (third round) Althea Gibson (champion) Mary Hawton (first round) Zsuzsi Körmöczy (semifinals) Shirley Bloomer (quarterfinals) Christiane Mercelis (second round) Barbara Davidson (second round) Suzanne Le Besnerais (third round) Edda Buding (quarterfinals) Thelma Long (third round) Darlene Hard (third round) Annalissa Bellani (third round) Ginette Bucaille (third round) Angela Buxton (semifinals) Myrtil Dubois (third round)
Draw
Key Q = Qualifier WC = Wild card LL = Lucky loser r = Retired
Finals
Earlier rounds
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
References
External links on the French Open website