Deepak Yadav is accused of killing his daughter, former tennis player Radhika Yadav, in Gurugram on July 10. PTI
Sport, especially in less developed countries, is often a means of redemption and empowerment for athletes, but also for their families. However, this came at the cost of a young tennis player's life — one who, although she never made it on the global stage, was of a high level in India.
Radhika Yadav, 25, a national-level player whose career was cut short by a shoulder injury, was killed by her father at their home in Gurgaon, on the outskirts of New Delhi, last Thursday after months of family tension. The man, 49-year-old Deepak Yadav, confessed to the murder, justifying it by saying he was being mocked for being financially dependent on his daughter — who was now running a tennis academy and had also become an Instagram influencer.
He said he shot Radhika three times in the back while she was cooking in the kitchen. She was rushed to the hospital but declared dead by doctors. In addition to conflicts over her work, investigative sources suggest that Radhika’s participation in a music video may have further heightened tensions.
Radhika played 36 singles and 7 doubles matches on the ITF circuit, which is considered the “third tier” of tennis, below the WTA and WTA 125 tours. According to the official site, her most recent singles matches were in March 2024, and her last doubles matches were in June 2023.
In his statement, Deepak Yadav said he felt “humiliated” by comments. “When I went to Wazirabad to buy milk, people mocked me, saying I was living off my daughter,” he recounted. “It haunted me. Some even questioned her character. I asked her to shut down the academy, but she refused.” For this reason, he fired five shots, hitting her with three while her back was turned.
The complaint was filed by Kuldeep Yadav, the accused's younger brother and Radhika’s uncle, since even in the case of a crime caught in the act, a formal complaint is required under Indian law. “She was an accomplished tennis player, winner of many trophies. I’m devastated and cannot understand why she was killed,” he said.
Her success challenged tradition and for that, she paid the ultimate price.