Teen who violently attacked US surgeon at Australian Open avoids jail

A US surgeon violently assaulted by a teenager during the 2018 Australian Open forgave his attacker and wants the youth to "move forward".

As a Victorian Children's Court magistrate sentenced the 17-year-old who left the American in an induced coma on January 17, she remarked on the "extraordinary" kindness and compassion Dr Edward Pribitkin had shown.

The magistrate then also remarked on how well the teenager had rehabilitated since the assault and sentenced him to a 12-month youth supervision order - a non-custodial sentence involving four hours a week of counselling and other services.

The teen had earlier pleaded guilty to robbery, affray, assault and intentionally causing serious injury.

The boy later attended a meeting with the victim, which his lawyer said had been amazing.

Instead of being "cross" with him, the boy was "astonished" to receive Dr Pribitkin's forgiveness.

"I was really taken aback by the generosity and courage of the victim," the magistrate said.

The doctor was concerned to "make sure that the offender moved forward in a positive way", she said.