Eastbourne, London , 13 June 2011 | AAP

A week out from Wimbledon, Jarmila Gajdosova has declared herself on the brink of breaking into the elite of the tennis world.

Whether or not she manages it at the year’s third grand slam – she considers grass her weakest surface – she’s sure her chance is coming.

The 24-year-old Australian has made big gains in the past 12 months but she wasn’t able to translate that into major inroads at the first two grand slams in Melbourne and Paris.

She succumbed to 21st seed Yanina Wickmayer at the Australian Open only days after the excitement of capturing the tour title in Hobart.

In the aftermath of her divorce last month, she was bundled out of the French Open in the third round by world No.12 Andrea Petkovic.

But having come from a ranking in triple figures to within sight of the top 20 in less than 18 months, Gajdosova is confident a big breakthrough is in the offing.

“I think I am close enough to being part of the elite group,” Gajdosova said.

“I am so close, I am sure there is going to be one tournament where it is all going to come together and follow through with the results.

“I am chipping away, knocking on the door to try to get there.

“There will be a right time when everything comes together and I have to be ready for it.”

While Gajdosova rates grass her weakest surface, she still pushed five-time champion Venus Williams all the way in their fourth round clash at Wimbledon last year.

“It proved that even not on my best surface that I have improved enough to compete with the best on it,” she said of her 6-4 7-6 loss to the eight-time finalist.

“It shows I am good enough to do so, it gave me confidence.”

“I will try to be like (Rafael) Nadal.

“He said you can always improve on anything.”

Gajdosova felt refreshed for the grass court season after taking a much-needed emotional and physical break following Roland Garros.

“There are things I still need to do to make that one last step to join those big girls,” she said.

“But I am working on it.”

Gajdosova was playing Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska in the opening round of the key Wimbledon warm-up event in Eastbourne on Monday.

Compatriot Samantha Stosur was opening her campaign against two-time Wimbledon quarter-finalist Nadia Petrova on the opening day as well.

Lleyton Hewitt was set to take on Belgian Olivier Rochus on Tuesday in the men’s event.