Former Melbourne tennis pro Dino Dattoli facing serious drug charges

A Melbourne man who went toe to toe against Roger Federer during a brief tennis career is now facing a string of drug trafficking charges.

Failed tennis prodigy Dino Dattoli is facing serious drug charges. Picture: supplied

A failed tennis prodigy who went head to head with Roger Federer is facing serious drug charges.

Dino Dattoli, whose short-lived professional career ended after a motorbike crash abroad, on Monday fronted Melbourne Magistrates Court seeking bail.

Court documents revealed the Preston man was facing multiple charges over a home invasion in September 2024 and was rearrested in February after allegedly trafficking large quantities of drugs.

The 45-year-old, who was on bail at the time, was charged with trafficking commercial quantities of meth, cocaine and 1-4 Butanediol and dealing with the proceeds of crime.

Failed tennis prodigy Dino Dattoli is accused of trafficking commercial quantities of cocaine and meth. Picture: supplied

Police also allege he was in possession of three drivers licences belonging to other people with the intent of using them to commit an indictable offence.

The hearing was adjourned until April 15 to ensure it could be entirely heard in one session.

The bail application is being contested by police.

The court heard Dattoli was “quite unwell”, suffering from “severe pain” and would need to appear via video link for the next hearing.

Dino Dattoli was once a star on the junior tennis circuit before turning pro.

Dattoli was a star tennis player who competed on the junior Australian circuit prior to a brief professional career.

He competed on the European circuit where he shared the court with star players including all-time great Roger Federer.

His career came to a crashing end after he sustained serious injuries while riding a motorbike in Germany.

Dattoli attempted a comeback but was unsuccessful and later coached tennis before shifting to the UK where he worked as a property developer.