Who Was Radhika Yadav? The Untold Story of India’s Tennis Champion
Radhika Yadav dominated the tennis scene with an extraordinary record of 18 gold medals across 57 competitions, establishing herself as one of India’s most promising tennis talents. Despite her young age of about 25, she had already achieved what many athletes only dream of—reaching the 113th position in the International Tennis Federation’s Women’s Double Ranking by November 2024.
Furthermore, Radhika wasn’t just excelling as a player; she had transitioned into coaching by starting her own tennis academy in Gurugram’s Sector-57 Sushantlok-2 area, where she lived with her family. However, her flourishing career came to an abrupt end when tragedy struck. The national-level tennis champion who had repeatedly brought home trophies had to step away from playing professionally several months ago due to a shoulder injury. In this article, we explore the remarkable journey and unfortunate fate of this talented athlete whose story deserves to be told.
Radhika Yadav’s Journey in Tennis
Image Source: The Economic Times
The tennis racket first found its way into Radhika’s hands during her childhood, marking the beginning of an extraordinary sporting journey. Her natural talent was evident from the earliest practice sessions, as she quickly mastered the fundamental techniques that would later become her signature playing style.
Early interest and training
Radhika’s passion for tennis blossomed at a young age, with her family recognizing and nurturing her athletic potential. Throughout her formative years, she dedicated countless hours to perfecting her serve, backhand, and forehand techniques. The courts became her second home as she trained rigorously, often practicing before and after school to develop her skills.
As she progressed, Radhika began working with experienced coaches who refined her playing style and mental approach to the game. Her determination was unmistakable—she approached each training session with unwavering focus and enthusiasm, constantly seeking to improve every aspect of her performance.
National and international achievements
Radhika’s hard work soon translated into remarkable success on both national and international stages. She emerged as a formidable competitor, consistently outperforming opponents at tournaments across India. Her trophy cabinet expanded rapidly as she collected medals and accolades, establishing herself as one of the country’s most promising tennis talents.
The young athlete particularly excelled in doubles competition, where her strategic gameplay and exceptional coordination with partners set her apart. At the same time, she continued to build an impressive singles record, demonstrating her versatility and comprehensive understanding of the game.
Her rise in ITF rankings
As Radhika gained experience and continued to accumulate victories, her International Tennis Federation (ITF) ranking steadily improved. Each tournament contributed to her growing reputation within professional tennis circles, with coaches and analysts alike taking note of her technical precision and competitive spirit.
Her progression through the rankings was a testament to her consistent performance and ability to compete against increasingly challenging opponents. By maintaining her focus and adapting her strategy to different playing conditions and competitors, she continued her upward trajectory in the international tennis hierarchy.
The tennis community began to recognize Radhika not only for her technical skills but also for her sportsmanship and dedication to the game. Her journey from a promising young player to an accomplished professional athlete represented years of commitment, sacrifice, and unwavering passion for tennis—qualities that would later influence her approach to coaching the next generation of players.
From Player to Coach: A New Chapter
Image Source: La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club
A career-altering shoulder injury marked a pivotal moment in Radhika Yadav’s tennis journey. Rather than stepping away from the sport altogether, she channeled her passion in a different direction—one that would allow her to remain connected to tennis while nurturing the next generation of players.
Shoulder injury and career shift
The turning point came when Radhika sustained a significant shoulder injury during a competitive match [1]. This setback left her “in a less than optimum state of performance in the tennis court” [1], effectively pausing her professional playing career [2]. Nevertheless, instead of viewing this as an endpoint, Radhika saw an opportunity to reimagine her relationship with the sport.
While undergoing physiotherapy for her shoulder [3], she began contemplating how to leverage her extensive experience and knowledge in a meaningful way. Though the injury prevented her from continuing competitive tennis [4], her unwavering dedication to the sport remained intact.
Starting her tennis academy
Following her injury, Radhika established her own tennis academy in her neighborhood [5]. Located in Sector 57 [6], the academy quickly gained recognition as a reputable training center. As the owner and head coach [7], she invested her expertise into creating a comprehensive training program for aspiring players.
The academy represented more than just a career pivot—it embodied Radhika’s resilience and adaptability. Despite facing physical limitations, she transformed her circumstances into an opportunity to share her knowledge and techniques with others.
Coaching children in Gurugram
At her academy, Radhika focused primarily on training young players [2]. She became known for her ability to inspire children to take up the sport [5], transferring not only technical skills but additionally the mental fortitude she had developed throughout her competitive career.
Her transition to coaching was viewed by many as “a natural extension of her sporting career” [8]. Even with her ongoing recovery, Radhika continued “inspiring young players” [3] through personalized training sessions and mentorship.
The academy eventually became popular among local families seeking quality tennis instruction for their children. Through coaching, Radhika found a new purpose—shaping young talents while staying connected to the game she loved, demonstrating that setbacks can sometimes open unexpected doors of opportunity.
The Tragic Day: What Happened
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Thursday, July 11, 2025, began as an ordinary day at the Yadav household in Gurugram, yet within hours it would become the most tragic date in the family’s history.
Timeline of the incident
The fatal incident occurred around 10:30 am at the Yadav family residence in Sector 57, Sushant Lok-II, Gurugram [9]. Radhika Yadav was in the kitchen preparing breakfast [6] when an argument erupted between her and her father, 51-year-old Deepak Yadav. What started as a heated discussion quickly escalated into something far more sinister.
Weapon used and number of shots
Deepak Yadav used his licensed .32 bore revolver in the attack [10]. According to police reports, he fired a total of five shots at his daughter [9]. Tragically, three of these bullets struck Radhika in the back [11], causing critical injuries that would ultimately prove fatal. The weapon was subsequently recovered from the drawing room table, alongside five empty shells and one live cartridge [11].
Immediate response by family
Upon hearing the gunshots, Radhika’s uncle Kuldeep Yadav, who lived on the ground floor of the same building, rushed upstairs to investigate [6]. He discovered his niece lying motionless on the kitchen floor, whereas the revolver had been left in the adjacent drawing room [6]. Throughout this horrifying scene, Radhika’s mother was reportedly present in another room of the house, resting as she had a fever [12].
Hospitalization and death
Immediately after finding Radhika, her uncle and cousin Piyush transported her by car to Asia Maringo Hospital in Sector 56 [6]. Unfortunately, medical intervention came too late. Some reports indicate Radhika was pronounced dead upon arrival [11], whereas others suggest she succumbed to her injuries during treatment [13]. Regardless of these minor discrepancies, the hospital staff promptly informed local authorities about the incident [12].
Police officers arrived quickly at the hospital, then proceeded to the crime scene where they found Deepak Yadav still present [12]. He was subsequently detained for questioning and formally arrested later that evening as investigations into the shocking incident began.
Uncovering the Motive Behind the Murder
Image Source: NDTV
As police investigated the shooting, a disturbing picture emerged of the circumstances that led Deepak Yadav to kill his daughter. The case revealed how success, independence, and social pressure collided with tragic consequences.
Father’s discomfort with academy
At the heart of the conflict was Deepak Yadav’s growing resentment toward Radhika’s tennis academy. The 51-year-old father was visibly distressed about his daughter running her own coaching center in Gurugram. Despite Radhika’s passion for nurturing young talent, her father repeatedly demanded she shut down the academy. According to police reports, he had asked her “multiple times” to close the business, yet she consistently refused to abandon her coaching career. This fundamental disagreement created ongoing tension in their relationship, ultimately contributing to the fatal confrontation.
Societal taunts and mental stress
Primarily, Deepak’s objections stemmed from the humiliation he felt when visiting his native village of Wazirabad. Villagers reportedly mocked him for “living off his daughter’s earnings” from her tennis academy. These taunts deeply wounded his sense of self-respect and traditional notions of family hierarchy. In his confession, Deepak claimed he had been “battling depression for the past 15 days” due to this social criticism. The constant remarks about his dependency on Radhika’s income had “hurt his dignity,” creating mounting psychological pressure that he ultimately couldn’t bear.
Police confession and FIR details
Following the shooting, Deepak Yadav immediately confessed to authorities. “I took out my licensed revolver when my daughter Radhika Yadav was cooking in the kitchen. So I shot my daughter Radhika Yadav three times on her waist from behind,” his chilling statement revealed. The FIR, filed at Gurugram’s Sector 56 police station, documented that Deepak claimed he “could no longer bear the humiliation” which had damaged his “pride.” Police seized the licensed .32 bore revolver used in the crime as evidence.
Family dynamics and silence of mother
Notably absent from the investigation was meaningful testimony from Radhika’s mother, Manju Yadav. She reportedly told police she was “lying in her room at the time of the incident due to fever” and had only “heard the gunshots.” Manju claimed complete ignorance about what triggered the violence, denying knowledge of any serious dispute between her husband and daughter. She maintained that Radhika “had a good character and had never brought disrepute to the family,” yet offered no explanation for her husband’s extreme actions.
Conclusion
Radhika Yadav’s story ultimately stands as both an inspiration and a cautionary tale. Her remarkable journey from a talented young athlete to national champion with 18 gold medals demonstrated exceptional dedication to tennis. Though her playing career ended prematurely due to a shoulder injury, she refused to abandon her passion, instead channeling her expertise into coaching the next generation at her Gurugram academy.
Family dynamics and societal pressures, however, created a tragic undercurrent beneath her professional success. Her father’s inability to accept his daughter’s independence and the subsequent taunts from villagers led to unimaginable consequences. This tragedy reveals the darker side of success for female athletes in India, where traditional gender expectations sometimes clash violently with personal achievement.
Tennis in India lost not only a former champion but also a dedicated coach who might have shaped future generations of players. Her death at just 25 years old leaves us wondering what additional contributions she would have made to Indian tennis. The tennis community will undoubtedly remember her for both her athletic achievements and her commitment to developing young talent.
Radhika’s legacy deserves recognition beyond the circumstances of her death. Her determination to overcome a career-ending injury by building a successful coaching academy exemplified resilience at its finest. Future female athletes across India might look to her career as proof that obstacles can become opportunities.
We must acknowledge how this tragic case highlights broader social issues regarding women’s independence and success in traditional family structures. Perhaps through understanding Radhika’s complete story—both her triumphs and the societal pressures that contributed to her fate—meaningful conversations about supporting female athletes can emerge.
FAQs
Q1. Who was Radhika Yadav and what were her achievements in tennis?
Radhika Yadav was a promising Indian tennis player who won 18 gold medals across 57 competitions. She reached the 113th position in the International Tennis Federation’s Women’s Double Ranking by November 2024.
Q2. What led to Radhika Yadav’s transition from player to coach?
Radhika transitioned to coaching after sustaining a shoulder injury that prevented her from continuing her professional playing career. She established her own tennis academy in Gurugram, where she focused on training young players.
Q3. What tragic incident occurred in Radhika Yadav’s life?
On July 11, 2025, Radhika Yadav was fatally shot by her father, Deepak Yadav, at their family residence in Gurugram. The incident occurred during an argument, and she was struck by three bullets in the back.
Q4. What was the motive behind Radhika Yadav’s murder?
The motive stemmed from her father’s discomfort with Radhika running her own tennis academy. He faced societal taunts about living off his daughter’s earnings, which hurt his pride and led to mounting psychological pressure.
Q5. How did Radhika Yadav’s story impact the Indian tennis community?
Radhika’s tragic death at 25 years old was a significant loss for Indian tennis. Her journey from champion to coach inspired many, and her story highlighted the challenges faced by successful female athletes in traditional family structures.
References
[1] – https://www.moneycontrol.com/news/photos/india/taunted-for-living-off-daughter-s-earnings-tennis-player-s-father-kills-her-in-gurugram-13264447.html
[2] – https://www.republicworld.com/india/radhika-yadav-murder-fathers-chilling-confession-reveals-how-patriarchal-rage-ended-a-rising-tennis-stars-life-know-inside-story
[3] – https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/tennis-academy-dispute-insta-reel-what-led-to-radhika-yadavs-murder-by-father-101752193850667.html
[4] – https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/gurgaon/father-pumps-3-bullets-into-itf-tour-tennis-player-at-gurgaon-home/articleshow/122373292.cms
[5] – https://thelogicalindian.com/national-level-tennis-player-radhika-yadav-25-shot-dead-by-father-in-gurugram-amid-family-dispute-accused-arrested/
[6] – https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/radhika-yadav-deepak-yadav-murdered-tennis-players-father-was-upset-over-her-music-video-sources-8858144
[7] – https://news24online.com/sports/who-was-radhika-yadav-heres-why-the-rising-tennis-player-was-shot-dead-by-her-father/603099/
[8] – https://powercorridors.in/national-tennis-player-radhika-yadav-shot-dead-by-father-in-gurugram/
[9] – https://indianexpress.com/article/delhi/tennis-player-radhika-yadav-shot-dead-father-gurgaon-10118573/
[10] – https://m.economictimes.com/news/new-updates/radhika-yadav-was-not-shot-by-her-father-over-reels-gurugram-police-reveal-a-shocking-reason-behind-the-killing/articleshow/122377905.cms
[11] – https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/fir-reveals-father-killed-tennis-player-radhika-yadav-over-taunts-academy-dispute-2754035-2025-07-11
[12] – https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/delhi/state-level-tennis-player-killed-by-father-in-gurgaon-locals-taunted-him-said-house-ran-on-daughters-money-10119211/
[13] – https://www.etvbharat.com/en/!bharat/tennis-player-radhika-yadav-murdered-police-arrest-father-recover-weapon-from-crime-scene-enn25071006044