In a shocking incident that has sent ripples across the Indian sports community, 25-year-old tennis player Radhika Yadav was allegedly shot and killed by her father, Deepak Yadav, at their home in Gurugram’s upscale Sushant Lok area on July 10.
The incident reportedly stemmed from a dispute over her coaching activities and growing independence.
According to Gurugram police, Deepak, 49, fired five bullets at Radhika – three struck her in the back and one in the shoulder.
He was arrested shortly after the attack and has since confessed to the crime, citing repeated taunts from acquaintances who mocked him for “living off his daughter’s earnings” as a trigger for the fatal outburst.
Radhika, a former national-level player, had represented India in 36 ITF singles and seven doubles matches.
While she didn’t run a formal academy, she regularly trained young players by booking courts across the city. According to the police, this was the primary source of tension in the household.
The police have sent Radhika’s locked iPhone to Haryana’s Department of Information Technology for analysis, hoping to recover deleted messages and media that may shed light on her mental state and any threats she may have faced.
Investigators are also examining a previously unknown Instagram account linked to her, surfaced by a close friend.
In an emotional Instagram video, her friend Himaanshika Singh Rajput accused Deepak of jealousy and controlling behaviour, alleging that he had premeditated the act, reported the Hindustan Times.
She claimed Radhika faced constant surveillance, pressure to conform, and was subjected to deeply misogynistic remarks from those around her.
While these claims have stirred public outrage, Radhika’s extended family has strongly refuted the narrative of an oppressive household.
“She travelled internationally, trained students, and lived freely. If there were restrictions, how could she have done all this?” asked one of her cousins.
Contradictory as the narratives may be, the tragic reality remains – a young life and promising sports career were cut short.
Radhika held an All India Tennis Association women’s singles ranking of 35 and was ranked 1999 globally by the ITF. She had played her last singles match in March 2024 and had recently competed in qualifiers in Indore and Kuala Lumpur.
