Radhika Yadav: Rising Tennis Star Whose Life Was Tragically Cut Short

🎾 Who Was Radhika Yadav?

Age & Background: Born 23 March 2000, Radhika Yadav was a 25-year-old national/state-level tennis player from Haryana, India Navbharat Times+15www.ndtv.com+15NDTV Sports+15.
ITF Success: She achieved a career-high ITF women’s doubles ranking of 113, and was the 5th-ranked women's doubles player in Haryana Indiatimes+1The Times of India+1.
Entrepreneur & Mentor: Beyond competing, she founded her own tennis academy in Gurugram, coaching aspiring players The Economic Times+6India Today+6Indiatimes+6.

🕰️ Tragic Incident

Date & Location: On 10 July 2025, around 10:30 AM, Radhika was shot dead by her father, Deepak Yadav, at their home in Sushant Lok, Gurugram Navbharat Times+15www.ndtv.com+15Indiatimes+15.
Harrowing Details: He fired five shots from his licensed .32 bore revolver while she was cooking breakfast—three bullets struck her in the back, killing her instantly The Times of India+5www.ndtv.com+5Indiatimes+5.
Police Response: Within hours, Deepak was arrested. Her uncle filed the FIR Indiatimes.

⚠️ Motive & Investigation

Dispute Over Academy: Deepak resented her independence and ownership of the academy. He reportedly felt humiliated by relatives and villagers claiming he was “living off his daughter’s income” Instagram+14www.ndtv.com+14Hindustan Times+14.
Social Media Controversy: While initial media cited her Instagram reels and a music video cameo ("Karwaan" by INAAM, 2024) as triggers, police clarified the primary dispute was over her academy and income—not her social media presence The Economic Times+4India Today+4India Today+4.
Insecurity & Ego: Reports describe Deepak acting out of deep insecurity and wounded pride The Times of India. A Reddit reflection noted:

“It wasn't her social media activity. It was an even more juvenile and deplorable reason. He was jealous of her monetary success.” YouTube+1Instagram+1reddit.com

🌐 Legacy & Impact

Community Shock: Radhika’s death has devastated India’s tennis and sports community, igniting discussions on gender dynamics, patriarchy, and domestic violence www.ndtv.com+14India Today+14Indiatimes+14.
Echoing Broader Issues: This heartbreaking incident highlights how familial and societal pressures can erupt into fatal violence—even against highly accomplished women.

📝 Summary

Radhika Yadav was far more than a skilled tennis player—she was a mentor, entrepreneur, and symbol of women's empowerment in Indian sports. Her untimely death, allegedly at the hands of her own father—fueled by resentment over her academy and independence—marks a deeply tragic moment, stirring urgent conversations around domestic violence, gender equality, and respect. Her spirit and achievements will continue to inspire, even as her loss is profoundly mourned.

If you’d like to know more about her academy, social media presence, or the broader implications of this case, feel free to ask.

Related news on Radhika Yadav’s tragic death

Indiatimes