What Was Tennis Player Radhika Yadav Doing Before She Was Shot by Her Father?

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In a deeply disturbing incident, 25-year-old national-level tennis player Radhika Yadav was shot dead by her own father while preparing breakfast at their home in Gurugram. The shocking crime has sent ripples across the sporting and local communities, shedding light on the destructive impact of societal judgement and family conflict.


Shot While Cooking: A Morning Turns Fatal
Around 10:30 AM on Thursday, Radhika was in the kitchen when her father, Deepak Yadav , allegedly pulled out his licensed revolver and fired five rounds at her. Three bullets struck her in the back, fatally wounding her. Her uncle, Kuldeep Yadav, who lived downstairs, rushed to the scene after hearing the gunshots and found her lying motionless on the floor.

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The Father’s Confession: Shame, Pressure, and a Breaking Point
Deepak, 49, confessed to police that he was driven by shame and anger stemming from taunts in his native Wazirabad village. He claimed that neighbours accused him of living off his daughter’s earnings and even made derogatory remarks about her character. Despite asking Radhika to shut down her tennis academy and step away from social media, she refused - a decision that, he said, pushed him over the edge.


A Family in Silence and Shock
While Deepak admitted to the crime, his wife Manju Yadav has so far declined to give a formal statement. According to police, she was at home during the shooting but claimed she had locked herself in a room due to illness. Meanwhile, Kuldeep and his son rushed Radhika to Asia Maringo Hospital, where she was declared dead on arrival.

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Unsettling Questions Remain
The tragedy has raised urgent questions about societal pressures, gender roles, and toxic masculinity. Radhika’s presence on Instagram and her appearance in a music video reportedly added to the tensions within the household. What began as simmering resentment tragically ended in bloodshed, robbing a talented young athlete of her future.

This heartbreaking incident stands as a grim reminder of how pride, societal expectations, and internalised shame can destroy lives. As investigations continue, Radhika's untimely death calls for introspection—not just within one family, but in society at large.