The finals of the French Open Tennis Tournament left me livid.

Martina Hingis, a pampered 18-year-old from Switzerland who seems to have a perpetual grin etched into her face, was behaving like a brat in front of thousands of French fans and, through TV, the entire world.

Though it is considered acceptable behavior to question calls at Roland Garros Stadium, it is quite gauche to cross the net, walk over to your opponent's side and point to a smooth red-orange spot and claim you have been wronged, as she did. She seemed not to care about court manners or the feelings of her opponent.

Martina lost the favor of the crowd and eventually lost the match. They booed her at every point and were a huge factor in reversing her lead into a heartbreaking defeat.

Martina was photographed later crying, desperately and inconsolably in her mother's arms. She had acted boorishly and was paying for her improper demeanor.

Among other players, I have viewed smashed rackets, thrown rackets, abuse of lines people and the refusal to shake an opponent's hand after a match. To repeat, it makes me livid.

When my own son Adam played tennis for Hicksville High School I gave him this advice. "During a tennis match, I only want to hear two words come out of your mouth from your side of the net."

Those two little magical words are "nice shot." Keep your competitive juices pent up inside you and win the next point and, eventually, the match. That is the best revenge.

When you say "nice shot" you are a true sportsman. A temper tantrum on the court is only a boon to your opponent. Saying "nice shot" and playing harder is the real route to victory. After you say, "Nice shot," dig in your heels and win.

My son went on to be a very good tennis player. I can never manage to get even one game in a set during our matches.

I tell him "nice shot" quite often and he says, "nice shot" occasionally. We are still together and still on speaking terms.

Good manners make for good competition!