A 25-year-old tennis player was shot and killed by her father at their family home in Gurugram, India, on July 10, 2025, following a dispute over a tennis academy and financial independence. Radhika Yadav was cooking in the kitchen when her father, Deepak Yadav, shot her multiple times with his licensed revolver around 10:30 a.m.
According to police reports, Deepak Yadav fired five bullets at his daughter, with three to four striking her in the back. The incident occurred at their residence in the upscale Sushant Lok area of Sector 57 in Gurugram. Radhika’s uncle, Kuldeep Yadav, who lived on the ground floor, heard the gunshots and rushed upstairs to find his niece lying unconscious in a pool of blood.
Kuldeep and his son Piyush immediately transported Radhika to a hospital, but she was pronounced dead before arrival. Deepak Yadav surrendered shortly after the shooting and confessed to the crime. Police arrested him and recovered the licensed weapon used in the killing.
The motive for the murder stemmed from Deepak’s objections to his daughter running her own tennis academy. Police said she didn’t own an academy but booked courts. Police investigations revealed that he had been subjected to taunts from neighbors and villagers in their native Wazirabad, who mocked him for being financially dependent on his daughter. Station House Officer Inspector Vinod Kumar told authorities that Deepak “had been upset for a while as he was being taunted by locals over his daughter’s income.”
Kumar explained that Deepak was troubled by remarks suggesting the house was running on Radhika’s money and that he was overly dependent on her earnings. The father had repeatedly asked his daughter to stop working at the academy, but she refused. Police indicated that Deepak told them he killed his daughter because he felt humiliated and his self-esteem had been hurt.
Radhika had retired early from professional tennis due to a shoulder injury, but continued her involvement in the sport by coaching children. She was ranked 113th in doubles by the International Tennis Federation and had played 36 singles matches and seven doubles matches on the ITF circuit. Her final professional match occurred in March 2024.
A close friend of Radhika, Himaanshika Singh Rajput, described the victim’s home life as controlling and oppressive. She claimed that Radhika’s parents had a restrictive mindset and that she faced significant societal pressure. The friend alleged that Radhika was shamed for wearing shorts, talking to boys, and living life independently. Even though the tennis academy was located just 50 meters from her house, she was required to return home at specific times.
Police are also investigating whether tensions arose from a music video featuring Radhika that was released in 2024. The video, titled “Karwaan,” featured the tennis player alongside independent artist Inaam Ul Haq. The singer later announced on social media that he would donate all earnings from the song to charitable causes in Radhika’s memory, stating he would not keep any revenue from the project.
Radhika’s mother, Manju, was present in the home during the shooting but told police she was unwell and did not witness the incident. She declined to file a statement with authorities. The family had previously lived in Wazirabad village before moving to the Gurugram residence.
During questioning, Deepak reportedly told police that he had been battling depression for 15 days due to social criticism about his daughter’s career and earnings. In his confession, he indicated he could no longer bear the humiliation, which had damaged his pride. He has requested that authorities build a strong case against him and expressed a desire to receive the death penalty for his actions.
The case has drawn attention from the tennis community in India. Suman Kapur, CEO of the Haryana Tennis Association, recalled meeting Radhika during the National Games in Goa in 2023, describing her as disciplined, focused, and respectful of the sport.
Neighbors and tennis community members expressed shock at the incident. Parents whose children were coached by Radhika described her as polite, humble, and hardworking. They noted the irony that Deepak had previously supported his daughter’s tennis career, accompanying her to practice sessions and tournaments before developing objections to her coaching at the academy.
The investigation continues as authorities examine all aspects of the family dynamics and potential motives behind the killing. Deepak Yadav has been charged with murder and remains in police custody.
