you and your friends are on different servers

you are on a server, where u are the highest level of all players, which means there are only 3* players on the TM. But this is not a real problem, because u only play vs players on the same server, so all are in the same situation (exception: friendly games)

your friends are on a server, where they are not the highest level. for example they are lvl2, but there are lvl4 managers on the server. the lvl4 guys get the 3* players on the TM, which are 5* for your friends.