Shocking: Father Shoots 3 Bullets into Tennis Player Daughter Radhika Yadav

Gurugram Shocker: Rising Tennis Star Radhika Yadav Shot Dead by Her Father
Khabridose.com – July 10, 2025

In a chilling incident that has shaken the nation, Radhika Yadav, a 25-year-old former ITF junior-ranked tennis player, was shot dead by her own father, Deepak Yadav, at their home in Sector 57, Gurugram, on the morning of July 10. The young athlete, who had once represented India on the international tennis circuit and recently transitioned into coaching, was allegedly shot three times—twice in the back and once in the neck—while she was in the kitchen. The shooter, her 49-year-old father, used his licensed revolver to commit the act.

According to initial police reports, the attack happened around 10:30 AM and was witnessed by family members present at home. Her younger brother and neighbors rushed her to a nearby private hospital, but doctors declared her dead on arrival. An autopsy was conducted the same day, and Deepak Yadav was immediately taken into police custody on murder charges.

The motive behind the killing appears to be a longstanding family conflict, reportedly centered on financial control and ego clashes. Sources close to the family said Deepak felt insecure and sidelined, allegedly resenting the growing success and independence of his daughter. Despite not facing any financial hardship, he believed Radhika’s rising stature and her leadership in running a local tennis academy made him feel insignificant. Investigators suspect that this sense of male insecurity and loss of authority may have led to the shocking act of violence.

Radhika Yadav was a highly regarded figure in India’s youth tennis circuit. She had competed in multiple ITF junior tournaments, including events in Indore and Kuala Lumpur earlier this year. After suffering a career-affecting injury, she took up coaching full-time, mentoring dozens of young tennis hopefuls at her academy in Gurugram. Her colleagues and students describe her as disciplined, inspiring, and deeply passionate about the sport. Her sudden and tragic demise has left the tennis community devastated and mourning the loss of a bright star.

This incident has sparked nationwide outrage and has reignited urgent conversations around domestic violence, mental health, and patriarchal control within families. Many are questioning how such a violent act could unfold within a seemingly stable household, especially one led by a daughter who had become both the emotional and financial pillar of the family. Social workers and psychologists have pointed out the danger of unaddressed male ego and toxic authority structures, which can turn deadly when combined with emotional instability.

Adding to the heartbreak is the fact that Radhika was planning to take her academy to the national level, aiming to train India’s next generation of tennis stars. Her students are shattered, and many gathered outside her residence to pay tribute. Posters and flowers now mark the entrance of her academy, symbolizing the void left behind.

The police investigation is ongoing, with officials probing not just the immediate motive but also the mental state of Deepak Yadav in the days leading up to the crime. Preliminary findings suggest he may have been harboring resentment for months. Authorities are also exploring whether any prior incidents of verbal abuse or control were reported within the family.

This tragic case has once again highlighted the urgent need for mental health awareness, especially among men struggling with identity crises and loss of traditional roles in a rapidly evolving society. The sports community, women’s rights activists, and public figures have condemned the act and called for stricter action against domestic crimes, even when committed by immediate family members.

As India mourns the loss of Radhika Yadav, her legacy as a talented tennis player, an inspiring coach, and a brave, independent woman will be remembered. Her story serves as both a cautionary tale and a call to action—to create safer homes, support ambitious women, and dismantle the harmful mindsets that still lurk within families.