Monkeying around is no bad thing
JUDY MURRAY ON LESSONS OF LOCKDOWN
There’s nothing quite like a stroll around New York, where there’s something to catch your eye on every street corner.
It really is the city that never sleeps and is one of my favourite stops on the tennis tour. I’ve been going since 2003 when the boys started playing in the junior event so I’m gutted not to be making my annual pilgrimage for this year’s US Open.
However, I won’t be missing any of the action as I’ve splashed out on an Amazon Prime subscription so I can watch all the matches from the comfort of my sofa. It’s certainly comfier than a hard seat in the stands, but not quite the same thrill – though, with no crowds at Flushing Meadows, I don’t think I’ll be the only one contending with a lack of atmosphere.
Usually, the fan engagement and noise level at the tournament is incredible and can really help spur on the players. They feed off the crowd and without that energy, it’s going to be hard for them to maintain concentration and intensity, especially during long matches.
Seeing the empty stands at last week’s Cincinnati event made me feel like I was watching practice matches, but closed-door tennis is better than no tennis at all. I was chatting with a tennis friend last week, and when I mentioned how much I was looking forward to working at an event in November, he said he was willing to bet tournaments will still be behind closed doors, well into next year.
More months of Zoom calls? Let’s hope not, but if I can’t be there, I’ll be there in spirit – with a glass (or two) of wine in hand…
Separated from our friends and family for days then weeks and now months, the physical distance created by lockdown could easily have impacted our emotional connection to our loves ones.
But, according to new research, the silver lining of this stressful year seems to be that many of us have actually forged closer bonds and longer-lasting friendships – despite relying on Zoom calls and Whats App messages to stay in touch.
Last week, writing in the Royal Society journal, evolutionary psychologist professor Robin Dunbar outlined how the social strain of quarantine could have longterm effects on some relationships, and compared our everyday interactions to those seen in primates.
Well, I’m not saying there has been any monkey business, but I could definitely relate to professor Dunbar’s findings, especially the part about lockdown boosting community spirit between neighbours, which I was lucky enough to encounter on my own street.
I received so many lovely notes and gifts from my neighbours – some of whom I had never even met before – including little parcels of homemade tablet (more of that, please) and cards asking whether I needed help with shopping.
And, apparently, I’m