‘She hurt my pride’: How tennis academy taunts drove father to kill Radhika Yadav at Gurugram home

A 25-year-old tennis player, Radhika Yadav, was allegedly shot dead by her father at their Gurugram home on Thursday in a shocking crime that has stunned the sporting community. Deepak Yadav, 51, fired multiple bullets at his daughter during a dispute over her tennis academy, which he wanted her to shut down.

The incident occurred around 10.30 am in the kitchen of their Sector 57 residence while Radhika was preparing food. Police said Deepak used his licensed .32 bore revolver, firing three shots that left her critically injured. She was rushed to Asia Maringo Hospital by her uncle Kuldeep Yadav and cousin but was declared dead on arrival.

As per India Today, the FIR was lodged on the complaint of Radhika’s uncle, Kuldeep Yadav. He and his son, who live on the ground floor of the house, rushed upstairs after hearing the gunshots and found Radhika lying in a pool of blood. Kuldeep, who said he had no prior warning of such an intention from Deepak, told police the revolver used had long been in the family’s possession.

In his police confession, Deepak claimed he had been humiliated by villagers in their native Wazirabad, who mocked him for "living off his daughter’s earnings”, as per a HT report. The FIR stated that Deepak had repeatedly demanded she close her tennis academy, but she refused.

“He wanted her to shut down the academy, but she refused. He finally shot her dead over the same dispute,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police Yashwant Yadav, as quoted by HT. Deepak reportedly told police he had been battling depression for 15 days due to the taunts, which he said had "hurt his pride".

While the primary motive appears linked to the academy, police are also probing whether Deepak objected to Radhika’s social media activity. Some reports suggest he was upset over her Instagram reels. However, her mother, Manju Yadav, denied any major conflict, telling police she was unaware of any serious dispute, as per India Today.

Radhika, a graduate of Scottish High International School, had represented India in doubles, reaching a career-high ITF ranking of 113. After a shoulder injury ended her playing career, she turned to coaching, running her own academy to train young players.

Known for her vibrant personality, she often posted celebratory dance reels with her father after tournaments, making the crime even more chilling.

Deepak was arrested following an on-spot interrogation. Forensic teams collected blood samples, fingerprints and the revolver, which had five empty shells, as reported by India Today. A case has been registered under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and Arms Act.

Who was Radhika Yadav?

Tennis star Radhika Yadav, born on March 23, 2000, peaked at ITF doubles rank 113 and held Haryana's #5 women's doubles spot before a shoulder injury redirected her to coaching. She founded her own academy to nurture young talent.

Who is the father of Radhika Yadav?

Deepak Yadav (51), is a realtor and rents out properties for a living, who had reportedly invested around Rs 1.25 crore in setting up the tennis academy and had been pressuring Radhika to shut it down, allegedly due to public taunts suggesting he was "living off his daughter’s earnings."

Which state was Radhika Yadav from?

Radhika Yadav was from Gurugram, Haryana. She was a state-level tennis player who lived in Gurugram's Sushant Lok-phase 2 and was recognized as an emerging athlete from Haryana