A disturbing story of paternal jealousy turned deadly has rocked the tennis community in Gurugram, India, where 25-year-old national-level tennis player Radhika Yadav met a tragic end at the hands of her own father.

According to AOL, Deepak Yadav, 49, fatally shot his daughter with five bullets while she was preparing breakfast, allegedly triggered by neighbors mocking him for depending on his daughter's earnings.

The horrific incident occurred around 10:30 am on Wednesday, July 10, when only Radhika, her father, and her mother Manju were present in their duplex home. Police investigators revealed that the shooting followed weeks of escalating tensions between father and daughter over her successful tennis academy.

Father's Wounded Pride Leads to Fatal Decision

Deepak Yadav had been increasingly pressuring his daughter to shut down her thriving tennis academy in Gurugram, which had become both her primary source of income and her lasting contribution to the sport. Despite owning rental properties that provided modest income, he felt emasculated by his daughter's financial independence.

The situation worsened as residents of their native village of Wazirabad began taunting Deepak about living off his daughter's success. This persistent mockery apparently wounded his male pride deeply, creating a toxic environment at home.

According to police officials, the father's shame transformed into deadly rage when Radhika continued refusing to close her academy. "He could not stand the thought of people calling him useless," one investigator noted.

Rising Tennis Star's Promising Career Cut Short

Radhika had built an impressive career in tennis, representing Haryana state in national tournaments and competing in 36 singles and 7 doubles matches under the International Tennis Federation. Her last singles appearance was in March 2024, after which she focused on coaching.

Friends and colleagues described her as an ambitious and grounded individual who was passionate about helping young athletes, especially girls, break into the sport. Her success story particularly resonated with female athletes facing gender bias in Indian sports.

The tennis academy she founded had become a beacon of hope for aspiring players in Gurugram, making her murder even more tragic for the community she served.

Investigation Reveals Premeditated Attack

Police reports indicate that Deepak Yadav used his licensed revolver to shoot his daughter multiple times. While initial reports suggested she was shot from behind, the postmortem revealed four bullets had entered through her chest.

Radhika's uncle, Kuldeep Yadav, who lived on the ground floor, rushed to help after hearing gunshots but couldn't save her. She was pronounced dead upon arrival at Asia Maringo Hospital.

The father offered no resistance during arrest and readily confessed to the murder, citing his inability to bear the community's ridicule as his motive.

Lessons to Learn from This Tragedy

1. Recognizing dangerous behavioral changes: Family members and close friends should take note of dramatic behavioral shifts, especially those tied to pride, envy, or loss of control. Early intervention, therapy, or counseling may help defuse potential conflicts before they escalate into violence.

2. The importance of open, safe communication: Maintaining honest and respectful dialogue within families, even when disagreements arise over money or power dynamics, is crucial. Having neutral parties like counselors or mediators involved when tensions build can be lifesaving.

3. No one is immune to crime: As tragic as Radhika's story is, it reinforces the fact that anyone—regardless of status, success, or strength—can become a victim. The responsibility must always lie with perpetrators, never with the victims.

Why This Story Matters

This case underscores the deeply rooted societal pressures surrounding gender roles, financial power, and male pride. Radhika’s murder is a grim reflection of how shifting household dynamics can provoke violent outcomes in patriarchal societies. It also brings national attention to the often-silenced issue of parental resentment toward successful children, especially daughters. And finally, it reminds us that continued work is needed to ensure women’s safety—even in their own homes. Communities must rally around supporting female achievers while working to dismantle envious misogyny that can lurk within even the closest relationships.

In summary, 25-year-old tennis coach Radhika Yadav was shot dead by her father, Deepak Yadav, inside their Gurugram home on July 10, 2024. Investigators say the murder was motivated by his anger over being mocked for living off her income. She had transitioned from professional sports to coaching and refused his requests to shut her growing tennis academy. Using his licensed revolver, Deepak fired five shots—four of which struck her in the chest. The suspect was arrested and confessed to his crime shortly after. Radhika’s death is being mourned nationwide, with tributes pouring in remembering her legacy in women’s sports and youth empowerment.