Thomas Muster, whom Leitgeb brought to the French Open title in 1995 and to the top of the ATP world rankings as coach and manager, expressed his sadness in a statement. "My friend and mentor closed his eyes forever today. My condolences to the family and loved ones. The shock is too deep for words. Dear Ronnie, It is with respect and humility that I thank you for having been a part of your life to be and to have shared all these great moments with you. We will miss you very much. Rest In Peace."

Melzer - "Life can be so unfair"

Jürgen Melzer, current sports director and Davis Cup boss in the Austrian Tennis Association, has also celebrated his greatest successes with Leitgeb as a coach. Melzer expressed his disbelief in an Instagram post. "I just can't believe you're gone. I will miss our conversations. You taught me so much and have always been there for me no matter the time of the day or night. Life can be so unfair. I will have you in my heart forever. RIP Boss"

Günter Bresnik, who attended the same school as Leitgeb (albeit three grades lower), told tennisnet: "Ronnie has done more than anyone else for tennis in Austria just by working with Thomas Muster. received the appropriate recognition abroad. That's a pity. I feel very sorry for the whole family."

Alexander Antonitsch, tournament director of Kitzbühel, was also caught off guard. "Sincere condolences to the family. The news came as a shock to all of us," said Antonitsch. "I saw Ronnie in Milan and Turin last autumn, he was in the best of health." However, the relationship between Leitgeb and Antonitsch was not without friction in the past: "We were definitely not the best of friends."
But Antonitsch also has the utmost respect for Leitgeb. “The risk that Ronnie took with Thomas Muster back then was huge. Without Ronnie we would not have seen the tennis boom of the 1990s. The Davis Cup in the Prater Stadium was also his idea.” Along with Thomas Muster and Horst Skoff, Antonitsch was one of the three main actors.