| Singles | |
|---|---|
| 1997 WTA German Open | |
| 1996 Champion |
|
| Champion |
|
| Runner-up |
|
| Final score | 6–4, 6–2 |
Steffi Graf was the defending champion but lost in the quarterfinals to Amanda Coetzer.
Mary Joe Fernández won in the final 6–4, 6–2 against Mary Pierce.
A champion seed is indicated in bold text while text in italics indicates the round in which that seed was eliminated. The top eight seeds received a bye to the second round.