Nobody is getting angry Pingudon unless you are.

I am simply pointing out your question is based on a wrong assumption, so therefore both it and the replies also are trying to reply to an untruth.

Here you go 2016-2017 games between 2750+ players :

1.e4  - 196 games
1.d4  - 137 games
1.Nf3 -  67 games
1.c4  -  56 games
1.g3 - 3 games
1.b3 - 1 game

Top players are not running away from 1.e4. The recent evidence is exactly the reverse. They are embracing it more and more.

wow indeed, some shocking answers here.

1.e4 is being played all the time at the very top level, so the whole premise and the whole thread seems bizarre and irrelevant.

From the recent Sharjah Grand Prix:

32 games began with the move 1 d4.
27 games began with the move 1 e4.
11 games began with the move 1 c4.
10 games began with the move 1 Nf3
and finally, 1 game began with the move 1 b3.

Regarding transpositions between Flank Openings and 1 d4, it broke down as follows:

3 games that began with 1 c4 transposed into 1 d4 in the first few moves; one also eventually reached what I think was a position from a Semi-Tarrasch, although I'm not entirely sure about this. 
Additionally, one 1 c4 game actually reached a 1 e4 line (Panov Caro-Kann via 1 c4 c5).

Via 1 Nf3, 
2 games transposed directly into 1 d4 in the first few moves, here, as well, one game eventually reached a Semi-Tarrasch.
1 game transposed to 1 e4 (1 Nf3 c5 2 e4)

Therefore, depending on how you classify the opening played in a game, you could also see it as:

1 d4: 37
1 e4: 29
1 c4: 7
1 Nf3: 7
1 b3: 1

Whichever way you look at it, it doesn't seem like a whopping difference.

This reminds me of Erwin L'Ami (a "mere" 2600-plusser) being asked last year why he plays 1. d4, even though he became a GM playing 1. e4.  His answer was like, "I don't understand those Sicilians.  It's too sharp for me.  I don't get it."  Asked if he thought Fischer was wrong about the best first move, he said approximately "I think there is more than one truth.  I would never argue with Fischer, of course."

I play 1. d4 because I don't like starting the game by hanging a pawn.

I think it's (1) because of the Berlin; (2) because it's somewhat more difficult to elude sharp theory, and (3) because the richness in transpositions and strategies that TN mentioned. Also, perhaps, fashion. I don't think it's because of the popularity or fame  of bad openings that are good.

Hello.

Mainly because 1.e4 e5 is such a pain to gain anything substantial against. Especially against players who routinely go for Berlins or other solid lines (like probably most top players do at least sometimes these days).

On top of this, at top level you need to have a quite good feel for the Sicilians, know you French variations and have some decent ideas against the Caro-Kann. On some rare occasions you will also face the Pirc, Modern, Philidor, Scandinavian and Alekhine and if the worst should happen and you were to lose a game against any of these other 1...e4 openings you would probably be ridiculed by your strong-GM colleagues .

Have a nice day.