The shocking murder of tennis star Radhika Yadav has taken a grim turn as police investigations reveal chilling new details. According to the Gurugram police, Radhika, aged 25, did not operate a formal tennis academy. Instead, she was known to train aspiring players by booking tennis courts at different locations in the city. This decision, reportedly, became a point of contention between her and her father, Deepak Yadav, who has now confessed to killing her.

The tragic incident occurred on July 10, 2025, when Radhika was allegedly shot dead at her residence in Sector 57, Gurugram. The accused, her father Deepak Yadav, 49, was arrested soon after and presented before the court on Friday, July 11, which granted the police one-day custody for interrogation.

According to investigators, Deepak Yadav was financially stable, owning multiple properties that generated steady rental income. Despite this, he was allegedly deeply disturbed by the fact that he was taunted by relatives and neighbours for depending on his daughter’s earnings. Radhika, though young, had built a respectable name for herself by training tennis aspirants independently, which her father strongly objected to.

“Radhika did not have her own academy. She used to train new aspirants by booking tennis courts at different places,” said an officer involved in the investigation. “Deepak had asked her several times to stop the training sessions, but she refused. That was the main tussle between the father and daughter.”

Gurugram Police recovered five bullets and one live cartridge from their Sector 57 home during a search conducted while Deepak was under custody. According to the post-mortem report, Radhika was shot four times, with three bullets in her back and one in her shoulder, suggesting a premeditated and brutal act.

Although several media reports had previously suggested that Radhika’s social media presence or a music video she appeared in during 2023 might have triggered the murder, police have firmly denied these allegations. “The video was uploaded in 2023. It has no connection with the murder. The accused has repeatedly said that he did not want his daughter to earn through training,” said Inspector Vinod Kumar of the Sector 56 police station.

A relative of Deepak, quoted in a PTI report, stated that Deepak had supported Radhika’s tennis ambitions since childhood, but repeatedly asked her to discontinue the training sessions. His requests were met with refusal, and over time, what may have started as a generational or ideological disagreement escalated into tragic violence.

This heartbreaking case underlines the growing tension between personal freedom and societal expectations, especially when it comes to women asserting independence in professional spaces. Radhika’s career trajectory—despite not having a formal academy—reflected resilience, ambition, and passion. Her dedication to training young aspirants using rented tennis courts showed a commitment that many of her students and followers admired. However, this non-traditional approach became a source of discomfort for her father, ultimately leading to her untimely and violent death.

Radhika’s murder has sparked widespread outrage on social media and among women’s rights activists who have condemned the crime as another grim example of control and patriarchal entitlement. They argue that Deepak Yadav’s objection to his daughter’s professional choices was rooted less in financial concern and more in discomfort with her growing independence and public recognition.

Meanwhile, investigators continue to piece together the details. The motive appears clear from the father’s confession: he was resentful of her success, her methods, and the perception that he lived off her income—even though he reportedly did not depend on her financially.

This case also brings attention to the mental health dynamics within families, especially in households where traditional values conflict with modern aspirations. Radhika was, by all accounts, a self-made young woman making strides in a sport that requires discipline and dedication. She had taken an unconventional route—training students without a fixed academy—but she had earned respect for her skills and approach.

Her murder is not just a personal tragedy—it reflects deeper societal and generational tensions that continue to exist in many parts of India. It is a reminder that success, especially when achieved by young, independent women, is still often met with resistance, jealousy, and at times, deadly consequences.

As more facts unfold, Gurugram Police are expected to file a detailed charge sheet. The recovered weapon and ammunition, the confession, and forensic evidence all point toward a clear case of premeditated murder. The community, meanwhile, mourns the loss of a promising tennis coach and athlete, whose life and career were abruptly cut short.

Radhika’s name, however, is likely to live on—not just as a rising star in Indian tennis, but also as a symbol of what women face when they try to live life on their own terms. Whether it's training without a formal academy or choosing to be financially independent, her life and untimely death highlight the challenges many women still confront within their own homes.

For now, the priority for law enforcement is to ensure that justice is delivered swiftly and that Radhika’s story serves as a catalyst for broader conversations about freedom, safety, and family dynamics in modern India.

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