Both he and Pete Sampras served well as role models, even tho they had McEnroe and a few other characters as their mentors. ;-)
I agree, although I have to admit Andre really got on my nerves at the beginning of his career. He was a little too cocky for me, which is why I always rooted for Pete (although people have criticised Pete for being smug, mostly Andre fans). Having said that, I grew to like him as he matured through his career and always rooted for him (except for the times he was playing Pete). Now I don't know who to root for.