2002 Pacific Life Open – Women's singles

Daniela Hantuchová defeated Martina Hingis in the final, 6–3, 6–4 to win the women's singles tennis title at the 2002 Indian Wells Masters. It was her first WTA Tour singles title.
Serena Williams was the reigning champion, but she boycotted the tournament in protest of racist remarks by members of the crowd the previous year. She did not return to Indian Wells until 2015.
This was the first WTA Tour tournament in which future world No. 1 and five-time major champion Maria Sharapova competed; she was defeated in the second round by Monica Seles.

Seeds

All seeds received a bye into the second round.