Four-time defending champion Martina Navratilova defeated Hana Mandlíková in the final, 7–6(7–1), 6–3 to win the ladies' singles tennis title at the 1986 Wimbledon Championships. It was her seventh Wimbledon singles title and 14th major singles title overall. Mandlíková was attempting to complete the career Grand Slam. This marked the first Wimbledon appearance of future champion Jana Novotná. She was defeated by Susan Mascarin in the first round.